MOSCOW, May 4, Andrei Simonenko. Statement by the President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) ) Thomas Bach may indicate that the organization may change its approach to the removal of Russian and Belarusian athletes from international competitions, but it has no legal force, said sports lawyer Anna Antseliovich. athletes before participating in international competitions. This recommendation was followed by most IFs. The day before, Bach, speaking at the General Assembly of the National Olympic Committees (NOCs) of Oceania, said, in particular, that «we will sanction only those people who are responsible for something, the governments themselves should be responsible for the actions of governments.» this statement does not. It only indicates, perhaps, some kind of change in approach. We all understand that international federations, when deciding to suspend Russian athletes, are guided by the recommendations of the IOC. It is clear that the IOC President has great authority and his word has of great importance, but not legal. In order for these words to have any legal consequences, they must be adopted by the IOC Executive Board. Perhaps there are some conversations, and these words may indicate something, but we will see that later next meeting of the executive committee,» Anceliovich said. «On the eve of UEFA's decision to remove Russian teams, the UEFA president made a statement similar to the one voiced now by Thomas Bach. It is also an answer to the question whether such words can have legal meaning,» Anceliovich stated.
