01 February 2023 , 11:56
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Wladimir Klitschko has sent a harrowing message to IOC president Thomas Bach over the potential involvement of Russian and Belarusian athletes in the Paris 2024 Olympics.
The heavyweight boxing legend and his equally iconic brother, Vitali, joined the front line in Ukraine in the immediate aftermath of Russia's invasion last February. And since, the former world champions have signified the courage of their nation's civilians, regularly using social media to appeal for help and underline their desire to defend their country.
And now Wladimir, 46, has weighed in on Bach's controversial plans to create a pathway for Russian and Belarusian competitors to take part under a neutral flag, without anthems, under the condition they have never publicly supported the war. An IOC statement also stressed that athletes would have to fully-comply with the World Anti-Doping Code.
“Dear Thomas Bach, you are the president of the IOC, you are the representative of the universal values of tolerance and peace,” he said, on a video uploaded to Twitter. “You propose to reauthorise Russian and Belarusian athletes to participate in the Paris Games.
“I tell you: the Russians are Olympic champions in crimes against civilians. They have the gold medal in deportation of children and rape of women. You cannot put your Olympic emblem on these crimes because you will be an accomplice of this abominable war."
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The strongly natured wording wasn't done there, with Klitschko also telling Bach that "history will judge" him if he makes the wrong call: “Do not do this, otherwise you will betray the Olympic spirit," he continued. "A country that tramples on the basic principles of international law cannot be legitimised and supported by the international body of sport.
(@Klitschko/Twitter)“Do not make this mistake, this monumental mistake. The world is watching you. History will judge you." Klitschko concluded with a tongue in cheek message, adding "Good luck with your decision.”
Poignantly, Klitschko delivered the message with damaged buildings visible in the background, outlining the devastating effects of the Russian invasion. Ukrainian president Volodomyr Zelenskyy has already reacted by inviting Bach to visit his country himself, to see if 'neutrality' exists.
However, the IOC have since responded to the the man who retired from boxing with a 64-5 professional record, labelling his words "defamatory" and arguing it lacks reasoning: "The IOC rejects in the strongest possible terms this and other defamatory statements," they said. “They cannot serve as a basis for any constructive discussion.”