BInterior and Sport Minister Nancy Faeser criticized the decision of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to prepare the participation of Russian athletes in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and admit them to qualifying competitions and called for Russia’s exclusion from international sport to be maintained.
“The fact that the IOC is apparently opening the door again for Russian athletes and wants to enable them to take part in the Olympic Games is completely the wrong way,” she told the FAZ: “Sport should, in its condemnation of the brutal war that Putin waged against Ukrainian civilians are leading, be clear.”
“Not in a vacuum”
At an unannounced meeting of its executive branch on Wednesday, the IOC decided that the international sports federations should allow athletes from Russia and Belarus to compete as “neutral athletes” where they can qualify for next year’s summer games.
No athlete should be disqualified from competing solely on the basis of nationality. In addition, the IOC emphasizes the mission of unity of the Olympic Movement, especially in this time of division, confrontation and war.
“Major sporting events don’t take place in a vacuum,” said Faeser: “No one should ignore this terrible war in the middle of Europe or send mixed signals. The international sports federations remain responsible for positioning themselves clearly.”
The Ukrainian athletes must have the full solidarity and support of the international sports community. “That’s only possible with the exclusion of Russia.”
The minister emphasizes that she is coordinating this issue very closely with France, as the host of the next Summer Olympics: “I had close discussions with my French sports minister colleague last Sunday on the sidelines of the Franco-German Council of Ministers.”
