While the world’s attention is fixed on Milan, Italy, where the opening ceremony of the XXV. Winter Olympics, Kyiv calls on international sports institutions not to ease restrictions on Russian and Belarusian athletes. “Stay principled and maintain all applicable sanctions,” Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha emphasizes on the X Network.
The head of Ukrainian diplomacy reminded that the Olympics have a special meaning for Ukrainian athletes. “They were preparing for it in the harsh conditions of Russia’s full-scale war, during attacks on the energy industry and in an environment of damaged infrastructure,” he pointed out.
Moreover, not everyone could prepare for it. According to Sybiha, during the war in Ukraine, more than 650 Ukrainian athletes and coaches were killed by Russia and over 800 sports facilities were destroyed, including 20 Olympic, Paralympic and Deaflympic training centers.
“The war took a heavy toll on the Ukrainian sports community, but it did not break the spirit of our athletes,” added Sybiha. However, at a time when the same continent is experiencing the Olympic Games and the most aggressive fights since the Second World War, there is no question of easing the restrictions on Russian and Belarusian athletes.
Sybiha also bases its strong position on Russia’s long-term violation of the rules of international sports. “Sport is an integral part of Russian war propaganda and is directly linked to the Russian army,” he points out. For these reasons, according to Ukrainian diplomacy, Russia and Belarus must stay out of international sports competitions.
Ukrainian athletes are competing in eleven winter disciplines in Italy this year, including biathlon, alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, figure skating and snowboarding.
Russians under different colors
The International Olympic Committee continues to impose sanctions on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Only thirteen Russian athletes will compete at the start of this year’s Olympics, two less than at the Summer Olympics in Paris two years ago. This time too they will compete against others without the Russian flag and anthem, they will watch the opening ceremony from the stands. They will compete in figure skating, speed skating, skiing and sledding.
Since the outbreak of war, more than 350 athletes have left Russia. Thus, twenty-seven former Russian representatives in the colors of other countries will participate in the Olympics in Milan.
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