Vasiliev said that the IOC brought Ukraine to calls to remove wrestlers from Russia
Two-time Olympic champion in biathlon Dmitry Vasiliev appreciated Ukraine’s calls to remove Russian wrestlers from the 2024 Olympic Games. His words are quoted by RIA Novosti.
Vasiliev said that the team of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) brought Ukraine to this point. He claims that after the start of the SVO, the head of the IOC, Thomas Bach, called for the exclusion of all Russians in all sports from participating in international competitions.
“Thus, Bach violated the main tenet of the Olympic movement: sport is outside of politics. And now nothing can be done about it. In addition to resetting the situation by the leadership of the IOC, including compliance with the Olympic Charter,” Vasiliev shared his opinion, adding that the situation can be described by the phrase “the tail wags the dog.”
On April 12, Ukraine called for not allowing wrestlers from Russia and Belarus to participate in the Olympics due to violation of neutrality requirements and support of a special operation. They demanded that the IOC take action.
Russians and Belarusians, by decision of the IOC, will be able to take part in the 2024 Games as individual neutral athletes. 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 representatives of the two countries’ team sports in Paris.
Source: Lenta
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