Zelenskyy on Russia's participation in Paris Olympics: representatives of terrorist state have no right to compete

This was stated by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy during his address to the participants of the online summit of sports ministers of partner countries.

"As long as Russia is killing and terrorizing, representatives of the terrorist state have no place at sports and Olympic competitions. And this cannot be covered by some kind of pretended neutrality or white flag. Because Russia stains everything with blood, even the white flag," he said.

The Ukrainian leader called on world leaders to stop the aggression and "fight against those who choose the path of terror."

"The International Olympic Committee needs honesty. Honesty that it has unfortunately lost. Honesty that will help stop Russian terror and bring peace closer," Zelenskyy emphasized.

• The IOC responded to criticism from the Ukrainian authorities and the sports community by calling it "slander."

• On February 6, the Ukrainian Parliament appealed to the IOC to ban Russian and Belarusian athletes from the 2024 Olympics in Paris.