Kremlin says IOC rules on Russian participation are discriminatory

Record ID: 1717779

  • Title: Kremlin says IOC rules on Russian participation are discriminatory
  • Date: 29th March 2023
  • Summary: MOSCOW, RUSSIA (MARCH 23, 2023) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF KREMLIN
  • Embargoed: 12th April 2023 12:10
  • Keywords: BELARUS IOC KREMLIN OLYMPICS PESKOV RUSSIA SPORT
  • Location: UNIDENTIFIED LOCATION / MOSCOW, RUSSIA
  • City: UNIDENTIFIED LOCATION / MOSCOW, RUSSIA
  • Country: Russia
  • Topics: Europe,Sport
  • Reuters ID: LVA001118929032023RP1
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: The Kremlin said on Wednesday (March 29) that the International Olympic Committee's guidelines allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete in international competitions as neutrals contain "elements of discrimination".
    Athletes from Russia and Belarus, Moscow's ally, were banned from most international competitions last year over the situation in Ukraine, but guidelines issued by the Lausanne-based IOC on Tuesday seek to allow for their gradual return to world sport.
    The guidelines have infuriated Russian authorities, however, who say any move to deprive athletes of their national symbols is discriminatory.
    "Such recommendations were characterized as containing elements of discrimination, which is unacceptable," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on a conference call.
    "We will continue to defend the interests of our athletes in every possible way."
    IOC President Thomas Bach said on Tuesday that it would be up to international sports federations to decide which athletes from Russia and Belarus can compete as neutrals, meaning without their national flag or country's anthem.
    According to the guidelines, athletes from Russia and Belarus cannot take part in team events and must have a proven drugs testing record, while athletes who support the Russian "special operation in Ukraine" or are contracted to their countries' military or national security agency are excluded.
    The recommendations made by the IOC executive board concern the return of athletes to international competitions but not specifically the 2024 Paris Olympics, for which a separate decision will be taken at a later date.
    Ukraine and some of its allies have threatened to boycott the Paris Games should they compete, even as neutrals.
    *This content was produced in Russia, where the law restricts coverage of Russian military operations in Ukraine.
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