Latvian athletes will boycott the 2024 Games if Russians are allowed into the tournament
Latvian deputies appealed to French President Emmanuel Macron with a request not to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to participate in the 2024 Olympic Games. The statement is available on the website of the Latvian Seimas.
“The situation is difficult, but we must clearly continue to express our position against the decision of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to allow athletes from Russia and Belarus to compete at the Paris Olympics as neutral athletes,” the statement said. It is noted that some Latvian athletes have already announced their readiness to boycott the Games in Paris if neutral athletes from Russia and Belarus participate in the tournament.
Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin praised the IOC’s decision to admit Russians to the 2024 Games. “If these are politically motivated artificial conditions aimed at cutting off our leaders, medal contenders, then the Ministry of Sports and the Russian Olympic Committee must make an informed decision,” he emphasized.
On December 8, the IOC allowed Russians and Belarusians to participate in the Olympics in Paris. They will be able to take part in the tournament as individual neutral athletes. At the same time, athletes who support a special operation in Ukraine, or who have connections with the armed forces or security agencies of Russia and Belarus will not be allowed to participate in the Games. Representatives of team sports will also miss the tournament.
Source: Lenta
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