Ukrainian sport minister criticises IOC stance on possible Russian return
Matvii Bidnyi, Ukraine's Minister for Youth and Sports, has commented on a decision by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) regarding changes to the Olympic Charter that could make it easier for Russia to return to international sport.
Source: Champion, a sports news platform within Ukrainska Pravda's holding company
Details: The amendments were adopted on Wednesday 14 May during the 146th IOC Session. Bidnyi criticised them, saying it is impossible to speak about neutrality while Russia is killing Ukrainian athletes and destroying sport infrastructure.
Quote: "Changes to the Olympic Charter must not become a legitimisation of impunity. So-called neutrality during wartime is an attempt to completely isolate sport from the outside world under the guise of 'autonomy'.
Genuine autonomy of sport ends where complicity in war propaganda begins. There is no neutrality when stadiums are being destroyed and athletes are being killed."
Background:
- The IOC recommended excluding Russian athletes from competitions following the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. They were later allowed to return under a "neutral" status.
- Recently, the IOC has gradually eased some restrictions on athletes from Russia and Belarus. In particular, it lifted the suspension preventing Belarusian athletes from competing under their national flag in international competitions, including qualifying events for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
- These restrictions remain in force for Russian athletes for the time being, although discussions about revising them are ongoing.
- The IOC has introduced changes to the Olympic Charter aimed at strengthening the principle of political neutrality in sport.
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