MOSCOW, October 7 President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Thomas Bach said that the position regarding the admission of Russian and Belarusian athletes to international competitions in a neutral status is meeting with more and more support.
In March 2023, the IOC recommended that international federations allow Russians who did not support the CBO to compete in a neutral status. At the same time, the organization proposed to deny athletes associated with the armed forces and security agencies, as well as national teams, in team disciplines.
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"Most international federations apply our recommendations to achieve this goal (to admit Russians and Belarusians — ed.), to fulfill our mission. Numerous world championships and qualifying competitions with the participation of Russians have been organized without serious incidents, because the athletes compete with the Olympic spirit,” Bach quotes from the General Assembly of the European Olympic Committees Inside the Games.
“We give an opportunity for athletes to compete and contribute to understanding and peace. We have seen this approach gain more and more support,» he added.
President of the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) Stanislav Pozdnyakov previously called the IOC requirements for the admission of Russian athletes to competitions discriminatory.
“Let me reiterate that these conditions are non-negotiable, we will not refuse them. They must be strictly applied for this approach to gain support, this support must be earned day after day by strict compliance with the requirements,” concluded Bach.