The NOC of Finland called the IOC pro-Russian to the point of madness because of the recommendation on the admission of Russians
Chairman of the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of Finland Jan Vapaavuori condemned the position of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on the admission of Russians. His words are reported by Ilta-Sanomat.
Vapaavuori called the IOC pro-Russian to the point of madness because of the recommendation for the return of Russians to tournaments. “The tough measures that have been taken against Russia and Belarus are the result of pressure on the IOC by individual countries, national committees, sports federations and politicians,” he stressed.
The head of the Finnish NOC added that the rigidity of the conditions put forward by the IOC has reduced the risk of returning athletes from Russia and Belarus. “There are clear signs that Russia considers the conditions so strict that it will itself refuse to participate,” he said and expressed the hope that Russians and Belarusians would not be at the 2024 Olympics.
On March 28, the IOC recommended that Belarusians and Russians who did not support the special operation in Ukraine be admitted to the competitions in a neutral status. At the same time, athletes associated with the armed forces or security agencies of their countries are recommended to be suspended from participating in starts. After that, a number of federations allowed Russian and Belarusian athletes to return to the competition.
At the end of February 2022, most sports organizations suspended the national teams of Russia and Belarus on the recommendation of the IOC. The decision on the participation of representatives of these countries in the Games in Paris has not yet been made.
Source: Lenta
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