A gaggle of 42 retired Canadian Olympians has urged the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) to withdraw its assist for Russian and Belarusian participation in subsequent 12 months’s Paris Games until Russia withdraws from Ukraine.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) laid out a method in January for athletes, who have been banned from many worldwide competitions following Russia’s February 24 invasion of Ukraine final 12 months, to compete with out their flag and nationwide anthem. Can do
Several nations have publicly opposed the IOC’s proposal and Ukraine has threatened to boycott the Paris Olympics so long as Moscow’s forces stay in Ukraine, aided by Belarus.
The COC has mentioned it helps the IOC’s advice that Russia and Belarus ought to be banned from worldwide competitions, however added that it’s open to exploring how athletes from each nations can compete as neutrals in Paris. can compete.
“We condemn the public statements issued by the COC supporting the ‘exploration of a route’ for Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete as ‘neutral’ at the 2024 Paris Olympics,” the athletes wrote in a letter on Wednesday. Are.”
Opening the door to “neutral” Russian and Belarusian involvement … sends a message that the CoC is now not involved with Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine.
“No way should be considered for Russian or Belarusian athletes to compete in the Olympic Games until Russia completely withdraws from Ukraine.”
Reuters has reached out to the CoC for remark.
Canada was amongst 35 nations that issued a joint assertion in February calling on the IOC to make clear the definition of “neutrality” and pledge its assist for banning Russians and Belarusians from worldwide competitions.
COC chief govt David Shoemaker instructed CBC Sports final month that athletes from each nations should publicly communicate out in opposition to the warfare with a view to receive the impartial standing they would wish to compete.
The letter mentioned, “Recent comments by CoC officials supporting neutrality terms… are baseless and out of touch.” “For instance, it’s unlawful in Russia to publicly condemn navy actions overseas.
“Denying their participation in international sport is not just giving athletes a chance to compete because of their passports, it is a rejection of an illegal and inhumane war and a recognition of the role of international sport in geopolitics.”
Canadian greats and Olympic gold medalists have been among the many signatories, together with ice dancer Tessa Virtue, hockey participant Hayley Wickenheiser, cross-country skier Becky Scott and freestyle skier Alex Bilodeau.
With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
