The International Olympic Committee (IOC) responded to the remarks of Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) president Stanislav Pozdnyakov on Tuesday, reaffirming its stance on sanctions against the Russian and Belarusian state and governments.
โThe sanctions against the Russian and Belarusian state and governments are not negotiable,โโ an IOC spokesperson said.
โThey have been unanimously confirmed by the recent Olympic Summit meeting on Dec.9 2022.
โThey are: No international sports events being organised or supported by an IF or NOC in Russia or Belarus.
โNo flag, anthem, colours or any other identifications whatsoever of these countries being displayed at any sports event or meeting, including the entire venue.
โNo Russian and Belarusian government or state official should be invited to or accredited for any international sports event or meeting,โโ the spokesman added.
โPozdnyakov welcomed moves by the IOC last week to allow Russian athletes to participate in its competitions after the IOC said a pathway for athletesโ participation in competition under strict conditions should, therefore, be further explored.โโhe said.
The ROC head had said he was against additional conditions imposed on Russian athletes.
โRussians must participate exactly on the same conditions as all other athletes.
โAny additional conditions or criteria are unwelcome, especially any that have political overtones, which are completely unacceptable for the Olympic movement,โโ he told Russian news agencies on Tuesday. (Xinhua/NAN)