IOC seeks pathway to let Russians compete at Paris Olympics

[Eugene]

Source: Associated Press

IOC seeks pathway to let Russians compete at Paris Olympics

By GRAHAM DUNBAR
January 25, 2023

GENEVA (AP) — The IOC made clear Wednesday it wants Russians to compete at the 2024 Paris Olympics as neutral athletes, in defiance of Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s call to exclude them entirely.

Citing a “unifying mission” during a time of war, the International Olympic Committee said no athlete should face discrimination based only on the passport they held.

“A pathway for athletes’ participation in competition under strict conditions should therefore be further explored,” the IOC said in a statement published after an executive board meeting. IOC president Thomas Bach did not hold his usual news conference after the meeting.

Russia was not directly condemned in the statement though athletes who have been “actively supporting the war in Ukraine” face being excluded from the Paris Olympics that open in 18 months’ time, the IOC said.

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Read more: https://apnews.com/article/zelenskyy-politics-sports-2024-paris-olympic-games-france-government-55608e0d13d4e4b41908b6e2f228dfd8

[KPN]

1. "Unifying mission" ... seriously? My thoughts

1). Fuck that.

2) Boycott the Olympics if this goes forward.

[lark]

8. Yes, I will 100% boycott the Olympics (which i love) if Russia is allowed to compete.

No Russians in the Olympics, even called by a different name, they are still Ruskies and representing Pootey.

[Irish_Dem]

2. Putin loves the Olympics.

He goes all out on doping. Especially the female gymnasts.

I wonder how much Putin pays the IOC?

[dem4decades]

3. How can I put this nicely? Fuck the Olympics.

Russia wants into the Olympics then Russia gets out of Ukraine.

[elleng]

5. Yes

[elleng]

4. NO!

[brush]

6. Not a good idea. There will be trouble.

Much trouble.

[lark]

7. NO, just fucking no, don't do it.

Russians aren't rebelling against Putin, they should not be rewarded with being allowed to compete in the Olympics. Yes, this is cruel to the athletes, but stands must be taken, the world needs to show Putin more consequences for being a fascist oligarch and would-be destroyer of the world for his own profit and dreams.