Germany urges thorough checks of Russian and Belarusian athletes before admission to Olympics

German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser has called for thorough checks to be carried out into each individual athlete from Russia and Belarus, following the decision of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to allow representatives of these countries to compete in the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics under a neutral flag.

Source: DW, as reported by European Pravda

Quote: "The IOC and international federations must ensure a consistent ban on those Russian and Belarusian athletes who in any way support Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine or are in any way connected to the Russian government and the Russian military," she said.

Details: Faeser said it is absolutely unacceptable that Ukrainian athletes should be forced to compete against Russians who support Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine.

"Ukraine and Ukrainian sport should further enjoy full support and solidarity from world sport," Faeser stressed.

The IOC has recommended that some Russian and Belarusian athletes be allowed to take part in the Paris Olympics under a neutral flag, provided they do not actively support the war against Ukraine and are not affiliated with their countries' security forces or national teams. The display of Russian and Belarusian flags and other symbols of the two countries will also not be permitted at official venues of the Games. No official representatives of Russia and Belarus will be invited to the Olympics.

The Russian Ministry of Sport is outraged by these conditions and has complained that Russian athletes are being discriminated against.

Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry considers that the IOC's Executive Board has made a mistake in allowing Russian and Belarusian athletes to participate in international competitions as neutrals.

The Estonian and Lithuanian foreign ministers, Margus Tsahkna and Gabrielius Landsbergis, have also criticised the IOC’s decision.

Support UP or become our patron!