The International Olympic Committee, in a stunning recommendation, directed international sporting competitions to ban all athletes and officials from Russia and Belarus from future events in light of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The executive board said it was with a “heavy heart” that they recommended that sports federations bar athletes and officials from both countries from participating in international sporting events in a statement on Monday.
IOC URGES INTERNATIONAL SPORTING EVENTS TO BE PULLED OUT OF RUSSIA AND BELARUS
“While athletes from Russia and Belarus would be able to continue to participate in sports events, many athletes from Ukraine are prevented from doing so because of the attack on their country,” the board wrote. “This is a dilemma which cannot be solved.”
The decision will apply to the Beijing 2022 Winter Paralympics, which are set to take place from March 4-12.
The IOC also recommended that no national symbols, colors, flags, or anthems be displayed for the two countries.
The IOC revoked the Olympic Order from Russian President Vladimir Putin and two other high-ranking Russian government officials considering the “grave violation” of the Olympic Truce, a U.N. resolution from 2021.
“The Olympic Movement is united in its mission to contribute to peace through sport and to unite the world in peaceful competition beyond all political disputes,” the board wrote. “The IOC EB welcomes and appreciates the many calls for peace by athletes, sports officials and members of the worldwide Olympic Community.”
Last week, the IOC called for all sporting events scheduled to be held in Russia or Belarus to be relocated or canceled, noting that the IOC itself did not have any scheduled in either country.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
The recommendation will be left up to each sporting organization to implement.
Following the IOC’s guidance, Reuters reported that FIFA is set to suspend Russia’s national teams until further notice, which could take the team out of the men’s World Cup qualifiers in March.
