IOC disqualification of Russian Olympic Committee called a trick

Russian athletes could participate in the 2022 Olympic Games, which took place before the invasion of Ukraine, only as part of the ROC team due to the ban. on previous doping violations in Russia Photo: Getty Images/Catherine Ivill

The International Olympic Committee has been accused of “chasing the headlines” for its decision to suspend the Russian Olympic Committee but not ban all Russian and Belarusian athletes from competing. at the Olympic Games next year.

The IOC, which is currently meeting in Mumbai, announced the immediate and indefinite suspension of the ROC after they recognized the regional sports organizations of four Ukrainian territories that were annexed during the war. .

However, it was stressed that the IOC's position on individual athletes has not changed since it unveiled a path in March that could allow Russians and Belarusians to compete as neutral athletes subject to a number of conditions. This includes no ties to the Russian military, no support for the war, and a ban on national teams, equipment and flags.

Rob Koehler, executive director of the sports movement Global Athlete, described the decision to suspend the ROC as «another exciting headline from the IOC, designed to create the appearance of strength» while at the same time keeping the path open for Russian athletes to participate in competitions.

The Olympic Councils of the Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporozhye regions were included by the ROC among their members, which the IOC regarded as a “violation of the Olympic Charter” and a violation of the territorial integrity of the Ukrainian Olympic Committee.

The removal of Russia will mean that it is not will be able to receive no funding from the Olympic movement.

“This is an important decision,” said Andriy Ermak, head of the office of the Ukrainian president, who accused Russia of using “athletes as propaganda.”

The ROC noted that the decision did not affect Russian athletes or their neutral status, but said that the majority were still “unreasonably excluded from international competition.” They also called the suspension «counterproductive» and accused the IOC of being influenced by political motives.

The IOC is under pressure from governments including the UK to ban Russian and Belarusian athletes entirely, but will accept final decision on this issue. neutral athletes at an «appropriate time.»

Ukraine has threatened to boycott next year's Games if any Russian or Belarusian athletes compete in Paris, and World Athletics has already outlined plans to exclude even «neutral» athletes. «for the foreseeable future.» Others have taken a different position and have already allowed Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete as neutral players.

UEFA this week abandoned plans to reinstate Russia's under-17 teams at next year's European Youth Championships following a backlash from sides of national football associations. , including the English Football Federation.