The Council of Europe said that allowing Russians to participate in the Olympics insults Ukrainians
The Chairman of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), Theodoros Roussopoulos, spoke out against the participation of Russians in the Olympic Games. His words are quoted on the organization’s website.
“Russian and Belarusian athletes should not compete at the Olympic Games in Paris. Why? Because their participation would be an insult to Ukrainian athletes,” said Roussopoulos. He expressed regret that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) allowed Russians and Belarusians to participate in the Games.
Additionally, Roussopoulos disagreed with the notion that athletes should not be held accountable for the decisions of their governments. “Let’s not be naive. Any victory of these athletes, even under a neutral flag, can be celebrated and used as a propaganda tool,” he said.
Russians and Belarusians will be able to take part in the 2024 Olympics as individual neutral athletes by decision of the IOC. However, athletes who support a special operation in Ukraine, as well as those who have connections with the armed forces or security agencies of Russia and Belarus, will miss the tournament. In addition, there will be no team sports representatives from either country in Paris.
Source: Lenta
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