The head of the IOC called for the return of Russian athletes to international tournaments

International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach defended plans to return Russian and Belarusian athletes to international competitions as neutral athletes, noting that their participation in neutral status “works” in many sports. It is reported by RIA Novosti.

In January, the IOC executive committee called for the return of Russian and Belarusian athletes to international competitions in a neutral status, while proposing not to allow athletes who actively supported the special operation in Ukraine.

“The participation of athletes with Russian and Belarusian passports in international competitions is working. We see this almost every day in a number of sports, most notably in tennis, but also in cycling, in some table tennis competitions. We see it in hockey, handball, football and other American leagues, but also in Europe and other continents. There were no security incidents in any of these tournaments, ”Bach said at a meeting of the IOC Executive Committee.

“The host governments issue visas to Russian and Belarusian athletes with very rare exceptions, and in other countries they even issue work permits. We cannot find a solution that suits everyone. We may have to live with this,” the IOC President added.

In February 2022, the IOC recommended that international sports federations prevent Russian and Belarusian athletes from competing due to the situation in Ukraine.