According to its president Thomas Bach, the International Olympic Committee is still opposed to international sports associations awarding events to Russia or Belarus. In view of the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine, Bach told Sport Bild: “Now is not the time to suspend this recommendation and end the stance.” The IOC recommends not inviting Russian and Belarusian athletes: “No anthems, no flags, no colors”.
With regard to Russian athletes, Bach admitted that the IOC is currently in an insoluble dilemma. “Our job in such a situation would actually be to bring the athletes together. And to show that competition can also be peaceful,” said the 68-year-old German.
Bach emphasized that he was grateful to international associations for sanctioning athletes who supported the war. On the other hand, some governments have decided who can and cannot participate in an international competition. Bach warned against surrendering to political sanctions and boycotts. There are around 150 National Olympic Committees in the IOC whose governments have not imposed sanctions on Russia.