Pozdnyakov: IOC must respond to Latvia’s ban on competing with Russians
The President of the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) Stanislav Pozdnyakov in the Telegram channel assessed the reaction of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to the ban on Latvian teams to compete with the Russians.
“The end of world sport, alas, has come. So far there has been no reaction at all from the IOC in the public space. Not to mention practical measures, which, according to the logic and spirit of public messages from Lausanne, should have followed immediately,” Pozdnyakov reacted. He called what was happening an external management influence on the IOC leadership.
On February 1, the Latvian Seimas adopted amendments to the Sports Law prohibiting Latvian team sports teams from competing with teams from Russia and Belarus. The ban will apply even if Russians and Belarusians perform under a neutral flag.
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 2024 Games. Representatives of team sports will also miss the tournament.
Source: Lenta
Kingston is an accomplished author and journalist, known for his in-depth and engaging writing on sports. He currently works as a writer at 247 News Agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the sports industry.
