(Liberal Voice Network) – During the 140th IOC Session, International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach expressed his concerns over the conflicting views of Ukraine and Russia regarding the participation of neutral athletes. In his speech, Bach lamented the stark differences between the two nations on this matter.
In March, the IOC introduced a controversial recommended pathway allowing Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete internationally despite the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. However, a decision regarding the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes in the 2024 Paris Olympics has yet to be made.
Bach highlighted the challenge faced by the IOC, stating, “Despite presenting workable recommendations aligned with our values, we are confronted with two irreconcilable positions.” He further explained that the Russian side wanted the war to be ignored, while the Ukrainian side sought to isolate anyone holding Russian or Belarusian passports. Both stances contradicted the mission and principles outlined in the Olympic Charter.
The IOC president pointed out that the Russian government considered the conditions imposed on its athletes unacceptable and accused the IOC of compromising its political neutrality. Paradoxically, the same government was attempting to organize highly politicized sports competitions. On the other hand, Ukraine insisted on isolating all Russian and Belarusian individuals, perceiving them as supporters of the war. This extreme stance extended to even banning athletes with intellectual disabilities from the ongoing Special Olympics.
Bach reiterated the IOC’s condemnation of the war and emphasized the organization’s commitment to promoting peace through the unifying power of sports. He criticized the Ukrainian government for sanctioning its own athletes by boycotting Olympic qualifying events involving Russian competitors. Bach expressed his difficulty understanding why the Ukrainian government would deprive its athletes of the opportunity to qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, denying the Ukrainian people a source of pride. He expressed the IOC’s desire to enable every Ukrainian athlete to qualify and participate in the upcoming Games.