IOC ban continues for Russia and Belarus

Over the years, the combined efforts of the Soviet Union and Russia has won 15 Olympic medals in Sailing. For its neighbor Ukraine, which first participated at the Olympic Games as an independent nation in 1994, their Sailing team has won five Olympic medals.

But looking forward, much uncertainty exists for these countries at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has thanked International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach for its “unwavering position” on the suspension of Russian and Belarus during a face to face meeting in Kyiv.

During the meeting, attended by National Olympic Committee of Ukraine President Sergey Bubka, Zelenskyy told Bach how the invasion of Ukraine by Russia had decimated sport in the country.

“More than a hundred thousand Ukrainian athletes do not have the opportunity of training,” Zelenskyy said. “Hundreds of sports facilities were destroyed: these are both large sports infrastructure facilities and facilities based on Ukrainian schools, universities and sports clubs.”

In addition, according to the President, many Ukrainian athletes joined the Ukraine’s armed forces to defend our country on the front. To date, 89 athletes and coaches died as a result of hostilities and 13 were captured and are in Russian captivity, Zelenskyy claimed.

“It cannot be allowed that a terrorist state uses sports to promote its political interests and propaganda,” Zelenskyy said during their talks in the Ukraine capital. “While Russia is trying to destroy the Ukrainian people and conquer other European countries, its representatives have no place in the world’s sports community.

“I am grateful to Mr President for his unwavering position regarding the suspension of Russian and Belarusian athletes from official competitions under the auspices of the International Olympic Committee.”

Bach assured the Ukrainian President that the ban on Russia and Belarus would remain.

“The time has not yet come to lift such a ban,” Bach said. “They are not alone with their troubles, we are on their side, we stand side by side with them and support them with our heart, soul, thoughts, and deeds.” – Full report