IOC accused of promoting genocide

Before nations can compete in events at the Olympic Games, they must first qualify, proving they are of a worthy standard to gain one of the limited number of entry slots. For some sports, the qualifying for Paris 2024 has begun, and this is raising tension as reported here by insidethegames:

Political and sporting leaders from a growing number of European nations have voiced opposition to a move to reintroduce Russian and Belarusian athletes as threats grow over a possible boycott of next year’s Olympic Games in Paris, while a key adviser to Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused the International Olympic Committee (IOC) of “genocide”.

The IOC has agreed to further explore a pathway for athletes from Russia and Belarus to participate in international competitions under “strict conditions” of neutrality.

It has been claimed by the IOC that a “vast majority” of the Olympic Movement, including the Association of National Olympic Committees, were in favor of the move following recent consultation calls.

The IOC’s decision to consider the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes while Ukraine remains under attack been criticized by leading officials in Poland, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia and Norway.

Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas has slammed the decision as a “politically and morally wrong”, insisting that it was a “time to strengthen isolation, not give in to Russia”.

“Sport is a tool in Russia’s propaganda machine, ignoring that means siding with aggression,” Kallas wrote on Twitter.

Today, Zelenskyy’s adviser Mykhaïlo Podoliak took to Twitter to launch a blistering attack on the ethics of the IOC and its President Thomas Bach.

“The IOC is a promoter of war, murder and destruction,” he wrote.

“The IOC watches with pleasure as Russia destroys Ukraine and then offers Russia a platform to promote the genocide and encourages further killings.

“Obviously Russian money buys Olympic hypocrisy [and] doesn’t have a smell of Ukrainian blood.

“Right, Mr. Bach?” – Full report

Paris 2024 Olympic Sailing Program:
Men’s One Person Dinghy – ILCA 7
Women’s One Person Dinghy – ILCA 6
Mixed Two Person Dinghy – 470
Men’s Skiff – 49er
Women’s Skiff – 49erFx
Men’s Kiteboard – Formula Kite Class
Women’s Kiteboard – Formula Kite Class
Men’s Windsurfing – iQFoil
Women’s Windsurfing – iQFoil
Mixed Multihull – Nacra 17

Venue: Marseille, France
Dates: July 26-August 11

Details: https://www.paris2024.org/en/the-olympic-games-paris-2024/