Ukraine warned about the risk of sanctions by the IOC

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) may impose sanctions on Ukraine and ban the country’s athletes from competing under its own flag if the government continues to interfere in sports. This was stated by State Duma deputy Svetlana Zhurova in a conversation with Lenta.ru. She also recalled that such cases have already been.

“The IOC has such an option as depriving the team of accreditation, suspension of membership in the IOC. In this case, the athletes of this country can participate in the Olympics, but in a neutral status. In particular, this happens when national governments interfere in the affairs of the IOC. And this has already happened more than once,” Zhurova said.

According to her, if Ukraine continues to interfere in sports, dictate who exactly its athletes can compete with, try to dictate who can participate in the Olympics, the IOC may resort to sanctions against the country.

“It is a very bad trend when a country tries to specify who its athletes may or may not compete against. Let’s say people from two such teams made it to the final, semi-final. So, what is next? The broadcasting grid is being disrupted, this is extremely unprofitable for the IOC and sponsors. So, it is really impossible to allow politics to interfere in sports under any circumstances, ”the politician emphasized.

Earlier it became known that the Ministry of Sports of Ukraine banned its athletes from participating in competitions with Russians and Belarusians by publishing a corresponding decree on its website. In response, the IOC stated that the Ukrainian government has no right to decide which athletes can participate in international competitions.