«Yes to Russian and Belarusian athletes in competitions but as neutrals». Verdict on Paris 2024 postponed – Corriere.it

The International Olympic Committee has decided not to decide: lThe participation of Russians and Belarusians in the Paris 2024 and Milan-Cortina 2026 Games will be evaluated “in due course” (without any indication of when) and will be «of the exclusive competence and at the full discretion of the IOC, without taking into account any qualifications that may have already been carried out» excluding «any undue pressure from governments or political representatives who have no competence in our choices». Those who expected a clear-cut stance in the face of an increasingly ferocious war and increasingly angry government members were disappointed. It is a Thomas Bach who appeared tired and tense who also avoided some awkward questions from reporters who on Tuesday presented (via Zoom) the latest decisions of the IOC Executive Board in the face of growing pressure from those who want the two states invaded Ukraine are completely excluded from the Olympics scheduled in 15 months.

Open to athletes

The IOC has not only decided not to decide on exclusion but has “opened” to international federations – at their full discretion – the possibility of returning to host Russian and Belarusian athletes in competition by respecting a series of criteria ranging from non-involvement in facts of war, the old ban on wearing national uniforms, the possibility of competing only as an individual and not with a national team. It will be up to the federations to verify the requirements and the task is anything but easy because evaluating the participation in the war or in support of war actions of each individual is a very difficult undertaking, as is “evaluating the active participation in propaganda”. By monitoring the results of what has been defined as an experiment, the IOC will decide on the Games when and how it deems it appropriate.

Is Asia a “safe” continent?

Another topic addressed the request of Russians and Belarusians to compete in Asian countries considered more “safe” for their personal safety and more willing to grant visas because in some cases they are politically or economically close to Putini. “Asia – Bach replied – has already hosted competitions for athletes from Oceania without having any problems”. The IOC has made it clear that, if it were to give the go-ahead to the Russians and Belarusians in Paris, it could do so regardless of whether or not they qualified.

No discrimination

The reasons for the choice (preceded by a long preamble in which Bach recalled the 6.5 million euros donated to Ukrainian athletes) are the usual: adhere to the directives of the United Nations reports on the universal value of sport, do not discriminate against athletes on the basis of their passport, satisfy stakeholders (athletes, judges, managers, technicians) from all over the world who would have asked the IOC Games open to all. No details were provided on who would be in favor and who would not among the various components and only after a question from a journalist did Bach admit that the decision was taken “unanimously”.

Nervous Bach

Bach only got nervous when asked by an English journalist about the honors bestowed in the past on “friend Putin, the first to call you after his election” (“I took away his Olympic Order as soon as the war broke out and I don’t hear or see for a long time») and showed a single moment of difficulty when a reporter asked him «if he realized that today’s decision would have made Putin happy and not Zelensky». «Years and years ago – was the not too happy response of the president of the IOC – the Americans accused us of being too close to the Russians and vice versa. We try to stay in the middle, following the directives of the Olympic Charter. Sport must be autonomous.