The sports bodies of the Nordic countries–Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Norway and Iceland–have asked the International Olympic Committee (IOC) not to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to participate in the Paris 2024 Games, adding to the pressure already exerted by Ukraine and other partners.
In a joint statement issued Tuesday, the various Olympic and Paralympic committees of these countries argue that it is «too early» to re-host Russians and Belarusians since «nothing has changed with respect to Russia’s brutal war in Ukraine.»
For the president of the Danish committee, Hans Natorp, the situation in Ukraine is «as terrible» as when the invasion began and insists that the Nordic countries do not want Russian and Belarusian athletes at the Games. In turn, he has warned of «significant and negative» consequences for the IOC if it ends up giving the go-ahead.
However, he ruled out that Denmark will end up boycotting the Olympic Games because they do not use the athletes «as a political tool», a position that other countries such as Poland or the Baltic States have raised.
Danish athletes «must compete in Paris» because «a sports boycott would affect the French hosts,» said Natorp.
Meanwhile, Ukraine has once again criticized the IOC’s position. On this occasion it was the Prime Minister, Denis Shmigal, who considered that the attitude of the highest body of world sport causes «indignation» and put the number of Ukrainian athletes and coaches killed as a result of the Russian invasion at more than 200.
«This is more than enough argument for athletes from Russia and Belarus not to be admitted to any sports competitions, let alone the Olympic Games,» Shmigal said.
The Ukrainian government, led by President Volodimir Zelensky, has openly demanded not only that Russia and Belarus be banned as states from the Paris Games, but also that their citizens should not be allowed to participate under any flag or alternative banner to that of their respective countries.
Source: (EUROPA PRESS)
