PACE adopts resolution to ban Russia and Belarus from 2024 Olympic Games

Ukrinform reported the information.

"The Assembly therefore strongly urges national IOC representatives and national and international sports federations to express their opposition to the IOC’s proposal to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to participate, even as “neutral athletes” in the upcoming Paris Olympic and Paralympic games," the resolution reads.

The member head of the Servant of the People faction, Yevhenia Kravchuk, reported 71 votes in favor and 4 against the resolution.

In accordance with the provisions of the document prepared by the PACE Committee on Culture, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe:

• Holds that the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes in the Olympic and Paralympic Games in the current context is unthinkable, would certainly be used as a tool of propaganda, and would de facto prevent other athletes, not least Ukrainian athletes, from participating. 

• Emphasizes that the absence of a strict ban will encourage Russian citizens to believe that the world is ready to maintain ties with Russia despite its military aggression against Ukraine;

• Emphasizes that by imposing the ban in response to military aggression against Ukraine, the IOC would demonstrate its commitment to upholding the values of the Olympic Games, foster the pursuit of peaceful solutions to conflicts, and send a clear message to the Russian and Belarusian governments that their actions have consequences and that the international community stands in solidarity with Ukraine;

• Calls on the IOC and its constituent sports bodies to maintain the position expressed in 2022, and to prohibit the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes, even as "neutral athletes," in the Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games and in all other major sporting events, for as long as the war of aggression continues.

The Assembly believes that the ban on the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes in the Olympic Games will only promote the goals of peace and equality and will not affect other values of sport.

"Such a ban can only enhance and further promote the worthy objectives of peace and equality embodied by the Olympic Movement and by sport in general. It does not weaken or blur the independence and values of sport," the statement says.

PACE once again reminds that Russian athletes are often part of military sports teams, which makes it impossible to demonstrate their "neutrality" and does not give them the right under Russian law to speak out against the war.

The situation around the exclusion of Russians and Belarusians from the 2024 Olympics

On January 27, IOC chief Thomas Bach said he supports the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes in the 2024 Olympics, despite Ukraine's threats to boycott the Games.

On February 1, the International Olympic Committee announced that it would maintain 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, they were joined by five Scandinavian countries.

On February 6, the Verkhovna Rada called on the IOC to ban Russian and Belarusian athletes from the 2024 Games in Paris.

On February 10, a summit of 35 countries took place in the United Kingdom, calling for the banning of Russians from the 2024 Olympics, which was supported by Volodymyr Zelenskyy in his speech at the meeting.

On February 20, 34 countries supported the demand to suspend athletes from Russia and Belarus from the Olympics.

On February 21, the IOC called the European Parliament's resolution demanding the suspension of Russians and Belarusians from international competitions contrary to the mission of the Olympic Games.

On March 30, Ukraine’s Cabinet of Ministers decided that Ukrainian athletes would boycott tournaments featuring athletes from Russia or Belarus. 

 On April 25, PACE President Tiny Kox called it unacceptable for Russians and Belarusians to participate in the 2024 Olympics because of Russia's war against Ukraine.

Later, Andriy Chesnokov, Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports of Ukraine for European Integration, said that Ukrainian athletes would be allowed to compete individually at the 2024 Olympics if the Ukrainian national team boycotted the Games because of the possible admission of Russians and Belarusians.