IOC warned Ukraine allies could boycott Paris 2024 Olympics if Russia competes

07 January 2023 , 14:15

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Russian participation at the Paris Olympics remains up in the air (Image: AFP/Getty Images)

Should Russian athletes be allowed to compete at the 2024 Olympics in Paris, some of Ukraine ’s allies could decide to boycott the prestigious event - that's according to a former leading IOC figure.

Both Russian and Belarusian athletes were banned from international competitions or forced to compete under a neutral name and flag since war ensued in Ukraine almost a year ago. However, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced last month that it will explore proposals to allow competitors from exiled nations back into international competition, with qualifiers for Paris due to start soon.

The IOC stated they would investigate from the Olympic Council of Asia to “facilitate the participation of athletes from Russia and Belarus in competitions in Asia under its authority, while respecting the sanctions in place” — such as the flying of the two countries’ national flags or use of national colours. Gerhard Heiberg, the Norwegian industrialist who served as an IOC member for 23 years including 13 as head of its marketing commission, said it was “far too early” to allow Russians athletes back into international sporting events.

“The plan to devise acceptable conditions for inclusion of Russian athletes is far too early,” Heiberg said. “Ukraine’s allies, indeed all of Europe, are wholly justified in their concern. More information is needed on Putin and his military leaders [who are] still formidably aggressive.

"It is much too soon for leaders of the Olympic Council of Asia to be investigating possible loopholes for Russian integration. Neighbours of Ukraine may well resort to boycott. The West should lie low for the moment and not venture in this false direction.

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It was last month that IOC President Thomas Bach said in a press conference that he wants to see them given the opportunity to compete.

“What we never did, and we never wanted to do, is [prohibit] athletes from participating in sports only because of their passport,” Bach said. “As we have always done with regard to the many other conflicts and wars in past and present, the Olympic movement must be a unifying force and not a dividing force.”

Bach’s stance aligns with a recent United Nations resolution, which concluded that major international sports events “should be organised in the spirit of peace”, and that “the unifying and conciliative nature of such events should be respected”.

The IOC have been warned that Ukraine's allies may boycott the Olympics if Russian athletes are allowed to participate (Getty Images)

Bach has remained steadfast in his view that the sanctions against the Russian and Belarusian states and governments remain in operation, but has taken a more relaxed approach regarding athlete participation. “The question of athletes’ participation was never part, and could not be part of the sanctions,” he said.

“The question of athletes’ participation was a protective measure to safeguard the integrity of international sports competitions and to ensure the safety of athletes from these two countries.

“Because following the outbreak of this war, some governments started to decide which athletes would be allowed to participate in international sports competitions – and which athletes would not, for instance by not issuing visas for athletes and officials from Russia and Belarus.”

Liam Llewellyn