Ukraine says its athletes will not compete in qualifying events at the 2024 Paris Olympics if they face Russians.
The International Olympic Committee has criticized Ukraine’s decision not to allow Ukrainian athletes to participate in qualifying events for the 2024 Paris Olympics if they have to compete against Russians, saying this only affects Ukrainian athletes sport and its athletes.
Ukrainian government minister Oleh Nemchinov announced the policy Friday after the IOC on Tuesday made recommendations for the gradual return to international competition for Russian and Belarusian athletes as neutrals.
Athletes from the two countries have been banned from most top international sports competitions since March 2022 following the Russian invasion of Ukraine last month.
“If such a decision is implemented, it would only harm the Ukrainian athlete community and in no way affect the war that the world wants to end and that the IOC has so strongly condemned,” the Olympic body said in a statement on Saturday.
“The IOC has always maintained that it is not for governments to determine which athletes can participate in which international competitions.”
Nemchinov, secretary to the ministers of Ukraine’s cabinet, said the government’s decision was taken on the proposal of Sports Minister Vadym Huttsait and that national federations that ignore the ruling could be punished. Huttsait is also president of the Olympic Committee of Ukraine.
The IOC will make a separate decision on the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes in the Paris Games at a later date. Ukraine has threatened to boycott the games if Russians are allowed to participate.
“Due to the fact that there are unfortunately far too many wars, armed conflicts and crises in this world, we have seen athletes compete against each other in almost all editions of the Games, despite their nations being at war or conflict. ‘ said the IOC.
The IOC is hesitant to ban Russians and Belarusians from Paris over concerns about a return to Cold War Olympic boycotts.
The body laid out a path in January for them to earn Olympic slots through Asian qualifying events for the 2024 Games to compete as neutral athletes, with no flags or anthems.
Some federations have re-admitted Russians and Belarusians to competitions, but there is also strong opposition to the IOC’s plans from athletes and some European governments.
Earlier this week, more than 300 former and current fencers accused IOC President Thomas Bach — himself an Olympic gold medal-winning fencer — and interim fencing federation president Emmanuel Katsiadakis of prioritizing Russians over Ukrainians.
“You have chosen Russian and Belarusian interests over the rights of athletes, especially Ukrainian athletes, and by doing so you fail to support the people your organizations are supposed to support,” the letter said.