Russia's military invasion of Ukraine has also cast a shadow over sports.
In the past year, there has been a movement to exclude Russia and its ally Belarus from international competitions, but many countries have protested against the IOC (International Olympic Committee), which has begun to consider its return. Debate over peace and politics is intensifying.
February 24th last year, when Russia began its military invasion, was the transition period between the Beijing Olympics and Paralympics.
Four days after the start of the military invasion, the IOC declared that it was against the "Olympic Truce" of the United Nations resolution, and invited international sports organizations and others to Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials to sports competitions, and allowed them to participate. I advised them not to
The IPC (International Paralympic Committee) also did not allow athletes from both countries to participate in the Beijing Paralympic Games, and has since taken steps to indefinitely suspend the Paralympic Committees of both countries.
A year after the military invasion and the move to exclude both countries from most competitions, there is also a dilemma.
The fundamental principles of the Olympic Charter set by the IOC are that it aims to "promote a peaceful society," while at the same time, "all individuals must be given the opportunity without discrimination of any kind," and "politically neutral." This is because excluding both countries can be seen as going against this principle.
In some sports, such as tennis, there are cases where participation in competitions in both countries is allowed.
And the IOC announced last month that it would consider returning both countries to international competition.
It stipulates that "passports (nationality) should not be used to prevent participation in competitions," and conditions such as "return to a neutral position that does not represent one's country."
In response, gymnastics and taekwondo international sports organizations have indicated a policy to consider the return of both countries.
On the other hand, many countries and regions are opposing the IOC's policy.
The Ukrainian Olympic Committee is considering a boycott of next year's Paris Games if Russia and Belarus return to international competition, and the Baltic states of Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia, which have become independent from the former Soviet Union, have also suggested a boycott. doing.
In addition, Mayor Hidalgo of Paris has also indicated that it is undesirable for Russian athletes to participate in the Paris Games, and 34 countries, including the United Kingdom, the United States, and Japan, have signed a joint statement, stating that the IOC is a condition for their return. I'm asking for clarification on the definition of "neutral".
On the other hand, IOC President Bach argued that ``it is not the government that decides whether to participate in international sports competitions,'' and discussions over sports, peace, and politics are becoming active.
Regarding the Olympics and politics, there was a case in which western countries including Japan boycotted the 1980 Moscow Games, which were held during the Cold War between the East and the West, and future developments will be watched closely.
What are the responses of Asian and Japanese Olympic Committees?
The IOC = International Olympic Committee is considering the return of Russian and Belarusian sports to international competitions, not on the premise of participating in the Paris Olympics and Paralympics next year, but on competitions held in Asia this summer. It shows the view that even if players from both countries participate, there will be no impact on the number of Asian players.
Based on this, the OCA = Asian Olympic Council said that it would support the IOC's decision, and that it would "provide Russian and Belarusian athletes the opportunity to participate in the Games held in Asia" in September. Both countries will be allowed to participate in the Asian Games, which will be held in Hangzhou, China.
Under these circumstances, JOC = Japanese Olympic Committee Chairman Yasuhiro Yamashita said at a press conference on the 14th of this month that the Ukrainian Olympic Committee, which is considering a boycott of the Paris Games if Russia and Belarus return to the international competition, understands. He said he had received a letter requesting
He added, "I can understand the situation Ukraine is in, and I myself and many Japanese people are heartbroken. I hope that it will end as soon as possible." I decided not to take it.
On top of that, based on the boycott of Japan and others at the 1980 Moscow Games that he himself experienced, he said, "I have never thought of linking this to this time. All athletes and people involved in sports around the world will participate in the Paris Games next year. I think they want a situation where they can," he said, personally supporting the IOC's decision to consider the return of both countries based on the Olympic Charter.
Ukrainian gymnastics coach 'firmly opposes' Russia's return to athletes
Olga Kozachenko, a Ukrainian who left her family behind in Ukraine and is a coach of the women's gymnastics team at Juntendo University, said of the possible return of athletes from Russia and Belarus, "I am categorically opposed. "If Russian and Belarusian athletes really do not support this war, do not support aggression, aggressive actions and actions against Ukraine and other countries, then they should give up their citizenship."
On top of that, regarding the one year anniversary of Russia's military invasion of Ukraine, he said, "This invasion has caused disorder in all areas. Inside, they are shouting, 'Stop this war!'"
Olga returned home last month for the first time since the invasion began, teaching gymnastics to Ukrainian athletes.
When he saw air defense alarms and power outages during practice, he saw how the environment surrounding athletes was becoming more difficult. Especially in eastern Ukraine, many gymnasiums have been destroyed and we don't know how long it will take to rebuild.The war has destroyed our sport."