Olympics board urges ban on Russian, Belarusian athletes at international competitions

By Selcuk Bugra Gokalp

ANKARA (AA) – The International Olympic Committee on Monday urged that Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials not be allowed or invited to participate in international competitions.

The decision came after the IOC Executive Board discussed the war between Ukraine and Russia, which has drawn firm opposition since Russia attacked last Thursday, including using Russian troops based in neighboring Belarus.

“In order to protect the integrity of global sports competitions and for the safety of all the participants,” Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials should be excluded, it said in a statement on its website.

The IOC also urged other international sports federations and organizers to do everything in their power to exclude athletes or sports officials from Russia or Belarus.

No sports events should be held in either county, it added.

The IOC board also decided to withdraw Olympic Orders from Russian President Vladimir Putin (Gold, 2001), Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko (Gold, 2014) and Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Dmitry Kozak (Gold, 2014).

The IOC said they continue to closely monitor the situation and that new recommendations and measures may put into effect in line with developments.