The State Duma assessed the sanctions of the IOC against the UK because of the position on the Russians

First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on International Affairs and Olympic champion in speed skating Svetlana Zhurova assessed the sanctions of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) against Great Britain because of the position on the admission of Russians to tournaments. Her words are quoted by Vprognoze.

Zhurova said that the IOC sent a significant signal by depriving London of the qualifying tournaments for the 2024 Olympic Games. “Prior to this, the issues of admission of Russian athletes to competitions were decided at the level of international federations. And then, even in the case of a positive decision, the host country of the tournament could refuse to hold competitions with the participation of Russians. The result was chaos,” she explained.

The deputy noted that Wimbledon was a good example, where in 2022 the Russians were not allowed, for which the organizers were fined. “Everyone is playing this year and everything is fine. The IOC saw this as a double standard. Why is it possible for tennis players, but, for example, rock climbers not? It’s weird,” she concluded.

London was considered by the IOC as a candidate to host Breaking, Skateboarding, Rock Climbing and BMX qualifiers. However, the UK government requires Russian athletes to sign a declaration of neutrality in order to compete in the country, which the IOC has not approved.

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 from Russia and Belarus associated with the armed forces or security agencies of their countries are recommended to be suspended from participation in the starts.