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“A shame”, “a slap” … Several countries are indignant at the IOC’s opinion on the return of the Russians

Obviously, the potential reintegration of Russians and Belarusians into sports competitions does not only make people happy. During the meeting of the IOC Executive Board on Tuesday in Lausanne, Switzerland, the president of the body Thomas Bach explained that he was in favor of the return to competition of athletes from these two countries, under a neutral banner and “ individually”, if they did not actively support the war in Ukraine. He also announced that their possible participation in the 2024 Olympics in Paris would be “decided at the appropriate time”.

And this decision is already talking internationally. In a statement released on Tuesday, German Sports Minister Nancy Faeser blasted the IOC’s recommendation, calling it a “slap in the face to Ukrainian athletes”. “International sport must clearly condemn Russia’s brutal war of aggression. This can only be done by completely excluding Russian and Belarusian athletes,” she announced before continuing: “There is no reason for Russia to return to world sport. (Vladimir) Putin continues his criminal war with appalling brutality against the Ukrainian civilian population. The Russian army kills countless Ukrainians every day, including many sportsmen”.

“It’s a day of shame”

For Nancy Faeser, the participation of the Russians in the Olympic Games would be an affront to the spirit of unity, advocated by the competition: “The Olympic Games do not take place in a vacuum. Those who allow the Russian warmonger to use international competitions for its propaganda harm the Olympic idea of ​​peace and understanding between peoples. »

And like Germany, Poland is also affected by this decision. On his Twitter account, the Polish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Piotr Wawrzyk, castigated this choice: “What positive happened on the side of Russia for its athletes to participate in competitions! From Boutcha, Irpin, Gostomel! Since the daily bombardments of civilian sites! It’s a day of shame for the IOC! “.

Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky said he was “disappointed by the IOC’s recommendation” on his Twitter account. “We must not close our eyes to reality. Russian sport is under the control of the Kremlin. The Russian regime does not know what fair play is and its athletes have no place in the Olympics,” he wrote.

Note that Poland, like Ukraine and the Baltic countries, have already threatened to boycott the 2024 Olympics in the event of the presence of the Russians.

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