IOC Director appeals to NOCs of 35 countries against Russian and Belarusian participation in Olympics

Der Spiegel reports about this.

“After the meeting of the sports ministers, we became aware of many false comments made during the meeting and later in the media, which distorted the results of the meeting itself. We would like to urge you to contact your minister to ensure that he either does not sign the declaration, or at least ensures that the wording reflects as closely as possible the position of the Olympic movement,” Macleod’s letter reads.

The full list of countries that supported the demand to expel Russians and Belarusians is currently unknown. It is noted that among those who supported these demands are the USA, Great Britain, Germany, France, Poland, the Netherlands, Canada, Australia, Japan, as well as the Baltic and Scandinavian countries.

• On January 27, IOC chief Thomas Bach said that he stands for the participation of Russians and Belarusians in the 2024 Olympics, despite Ukraine's threats to boycott the Games. 

• On February 1, the International Olympic Committee announced that it intends to adhere to the sanctions against Russian and Belarusian athletes that were approved in December 2022.

• On February 3, Poland and the Baltic states issued a joint statement opposing the return of Russians and Belarusians to the Olympics. On February 7, five Scandinavian countries join them.

• On February 10, the United Kingdom hosted a summit of 35 countries that called for the banning of Russians from the 2024 Olympics, and Volodymyr Zelenskyy supported them in his speech at the meeting.