MEPs have called on the Member States of the European Union and the international community to urge the International Olympic Committee to reverse its decision to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to reintegrate into international sport in principle.

Christoph Becker

Sports editor.

  • Follow I follow

The resolution adopted on Thursday to mark the anniversary of the unleashing of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine said the IOC's stance was "an embarrassment to the international sports world." The parliamentarians once again condemned the decision of the IOC, which was taken by its executive on 25 January. The participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes under a neutral flag, as sought by the IOC, will be "used by both regimes for propaganda purposes".

Criticism of Bach is growing

MEPs also called on the EU's "partners" to continue to support Ukraine "politically and humanitarianly". Parliament is grateful to all countries that have shown and continue to show "unprecedented unity, solidarity and support" towards Ukraine since the first hour of the war.

The IOC had called on the international sports federations in the wake of the unleashing of the Russian war last spring to exclude Russian and Belarusian athletes from their competitions. The reason given for this was that they could be exposed to hostility from Ukrainian athletes, for example, and that governments allied with Ukraine could deny them participation in competitions in their countries.

The decision of the IOC Executive at the end of January to release the return in principle was prepared by IOC President Bach for months. While Bach initially dismissed emerging criticism – on the sidelines of the World Luge Championships in Oberhof at the end of January, he said on ZDF that "these considerations are supported worldwide, there is a huge majority" – criticism is growing.

At a conference on 10 February chaired by British Sports Minister Lucy Frazer, 36 governments from Europe, North America, East Asia and Oceania agreed in principle that they do not share the IOC's view and reject the return of Russian and Belarusian athletes on the terms set by the IOC – neutral appearance, no "active support" of the war. A joint declaration announced afterwards is being worked on.

Klitschko in the F.A.S. interview

Ukraine, meanwhile, has made clear that it could boycott the Paris Olympics if Russian and Belarusian athletes participate. Former boxing world champion Wladimir Klitschko, brother of Kiev Mayor Vitaly Klitschko, told the F.A.S. he would "absolutely" consider a boycott in that case. "I will do everything I can to make other countries do the same. Some have already thought about it," said Klitschko. Thomas Bach represented "the aggressor" with his attitude.

Referring to Bach's criticism after the conference that governments are not entitled to make a decision regarding participation in the Olympic Games, Klitschko said: "Yes, he is president of the IOC. But with all due respect, you have to leave the church in the village."

Meanwhile, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba told Funke media group that the "hypocrisy of the IOC president and the committee is simply pathetic. A country that commits aggression – condemned by the vast majority of the UN General Assembly – loses the right to participate in the Olympic Games. This also applies to all his athletes." A boycott of the Paris Games is one of several options in the case of the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes.