Russia’s war on Ukraine has claimed the lives of 262 Ukrainian athletes and ravaged 363 sports facilities — prompting athletes to boycott 2024 Olympic tournaments with Russia and Belarus.
Ukraine’s Youth and Sports Minister Yadym Gutzeit slammed the International Olympics Committee’s decision to let Russian and Belarusian athletes take part in international sporting events.
Last week, the IOC recommended allowing Russian and Belarusian athletes to participate while banning anyone who actively supports Russia’s war in Ukraine, though a final decision has not yet been made.
The Ukrainian government says some Russian athletes wear uniforms with the symbols of the war but haven’t publicly spoken out against the killing of Ukrainian athletes.
Ukraine said on Friday its athletes won’t be allowed to participate in qualifying events for the 2024 Summer Games if they have to compete against Russians.
“It is very important for us that there are no athletes from Russia at sports competitions and the Olympic Games, because they all support this war and attend events held in support of this war,” Gutzeit said during a meeting with Morianari Watanabe, the president of the International Federation of Gymnastics, and President’s Office head Andriy Yermak, the Kyiv Independent reported.
Kickboxing champion Vitalii Merinov died after being injured fighting in the war. Facebook
Volodymyr Androshchuk was a 22-year-old Olympic hopeful. Twitter
Dmytro Sharpar, a former Ukrainian figure skater, died near Bakhmut. Instagram/@art.world.love_Over 30 countries have called on the IOC to resume its ban on Russia and Belarus from competing in international sporting events, including the 2024 games.
The IOC has recommended the gradual return of Russian and Belarusian athletes to international competition as neutrals, but hasn’t decided on their participation in the 2024 Olympics in Paris — a decision Ukraine has criticized.
Under the IOC’s latest decision, athletes from Russia and Belarus will be able to compete only as individual neutral athletes — teams from these countries will not be allowed to compete.
Ukraine will have its Olympic athletes boycott events with Russia and Belarus. REUTERS
Russia’s war on Ukraine has claimed the lives of 262 Ukrainian athletes and ravaged 363 sports facilities. REUTERS
Over 30 countries have called on the IOC to resume its ban on Russia and Belarus from competing in international sporting events. AFP via Getty ImagesFollowing Russia’s invasion in February 2022, a number of Ukrainian athletes chose to take up arms in Ukraine’s defense.
Among those killed this year were figure skater Dmytro Sharpar, who died in battle near Bakhmut, Volodymyr Androshchuk, a 22-year-old Olympic hopeful, and four-time world kickboxing champion Vitalii Merinov.
With Post wires,
