The Olympic institution only recommends his return “on the condition that it can be revoked by the international federation concerned.”
When the qualifications for the 2024 Games have already begun in some disciplines, the IOC, on the other hand, “has not addressed” until this Tuesday the question of the Russian and Belarusian participation in the next Games, which can be explosive, taking into account boycott threats.
“The IOC will make this decision in due course at its sole discretion, without being bound by the results of previous Olympic qualifiers,” Bach told a news conference after the meeting. He did not say when the IOC would make that decision.
“The IOC expressly reserves the right to decide on their participation (in the Paris Olympic Games) at the appropriate time.”
“Day of Shame”
A dozen countries boycotted the women’s world boxing championships this month in protest of their presence at the event. On Tuesday, more than 300 fencers wrote to Bach, calling the return of Russia and Belarus a “catastrophic mistake.”
Bach stated that politics cannot be part of sports competitions and that athletes should not be punished for their passports.
“We will not be able to reach a solution that satisfies everyone. We will have to live with this.”
The German Minister of Sports was the first to react, denouncing that the IOC recommendation is “a slap in the face of Ukrainian athletes.”
“International sport must clearly condemn the brutal aggressive war waged by Russia. This can only be done by completely excluding Russian and Belarusian athletes,” Nancy Faeser said in a statement.
Further went the Polish government, which assured that it was “a day of shame for the IOC”.
“Has anything positive happened on the side of Russia for its athletes to participate in competitions? From Bucha, Irpin, Gostomel! From the daily bombardments of civilian areas! It’s a day of shame for the IOC,” Piotr wrote on Twitter. Wawzyk, Deputy Foreign Minister.
With information from AFP and Reuters