Ukraine asks IOC to examine ‘neutral’ status of Russian athletes

LONDON (Agencies): Sports authorities in Ukraine asked the International Olympic Committee on Wednesday to examine the “neutral” status of Russian athletes they accused of having links to the military or competing in events that violated Olympic sanctions. The IOC allowed a limited number of athletes from Russia and Belarus to compete at the 2024 Paris Olympics and the 2026 Milan Winter Games with no flags or anthems, subject to vetting. This included stipulations that athletes not be linked to the military or have supported Moscow’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. An appeal signed by ⁠Ukrainian Sports Minister Matvii Bidny and National Olympic Committee head Vadym Guttsait said they had compiled evidence that some athletes had flouted recommendations established by the IOC in 2023 – more than a year after Russia’s full-scale invasion. The appeal cited in particular “systematic violations” in sports climbing and its governing federation, the IFSC. “The Ukrainian side has provided evidence of direct links between a number of athletes and the military structures of the aggressor state,” the statement said.

It cited several athletes the officials alleged had links with ⁠the military, supported the invasion or had trained in Crimea, seized and annexed by Russia from Ukraine in 2014. It also said an international competition was held in Moscow last November under the auspices of the CISM (International Military Sports Council) in violation of IOC rules. “This confirms the ⁠involvement of Russian military structures in the international sports movement with the aim of legitimising Russia’s aggressive policy,” the appeal said. “The Ukrainian side calls on the leadership of the IOC and ⁠the IFSC to conduct a comprehensive review of these facts and to suspend the individuals in question from international competitions.” Some sports bodies have eased restrictions on Russian ⁠and Belarusian athletes. The International Paralympic Committee allowed athletes from the two countries to compete at the recent games in Italy with anthems and flags, drawing protests from Ukraine and other countries.