The decision is historic. It sets a precedent. For the first time, the IOC has thrown away its sacrosanct political neutrality. Faced with the invasion of Ukraine by the Russian army, the executive commission of the body called, Monday February 28, for the exclusion of Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials from all international competitions.
For the first time, the IOC therefore decided not to spare the athletes. He recommends that international federations ban them from participating in all their events. An approach that the Olympic body had never before initiated, until now offering competitors a status of neutrality when their country or their national Olympic committee was suspended.
The body based in Lausanne makes no secret of this: the historic decision of its executive commission was taken despite a “ dilemma ". She explains it in a press release: “ While athletes from Russia and Belarus could continue to participate in sporting events, many Ukrainian athletes are prevented from doing so due to the attack on their country. It's a dilemma that cannot be resolved"
There is no question, however, of playing a wait-and-see attitude. The IOC wants to strike hard. Its executive commission therefore calls on international federations and organizers of sporting events to “ not invite or allow the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes and official representatives in competitions"
Further proof of a shift in its strategy and communication: the Olympic body explains that it is pleased to hear athletes from around the world express themselves publicly on the Russian question. “ The Executive Board welcomes and appreciates the numerous calls for peace made by athletes, sports officials and members of the global Olympic community, insists the press release. The IOC particularly admires and supports the calls for peace from Russian athletes"
More anecdotal, but very symbolic: the IOC decided to withdraw the Olympic Order from three senior Russian officials. At the top of the list, Vladimir Putin. The Russian president received it in 2021. He no longer has it. Two other political leaders are also removed with immediate effect: Dmitry Chernyshenko, the Deputy Prime Minister, decorated with the Olympic Order in 2014 after chairing the organizing committee of the Sochi Winter Games, and Dmitry Kozak, the deputy chief of staff of the presidential office, also distinguished in 2014.
Reaction from Stanislav Pozdniakov, the president of the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC), indignation. It was expected. “ The IOC's decision goes against the regulations and the Charter, first and foremost the spirit of the Olympic movement which aims to unite and not to divide, especially when it comes to athletes or the equality of participants in the Olympic movement“, the Russian leader suggests.
Surprise: FIFA was the first to follow the recommendation of the IOC Executive Board. Immediately joined by UEFA, the football body announced that the Russian selections and clubs were deprived “ until further notice » of any international competition. For the Russian team, the sanction is radical: it is no longer authorized to play the play-off match for qualification for the 2022 World Cup, scheduled for March 24 against Poland. The road to the World Cup in Qatar is closing in front of her.
The Russian Football Federation did not remain without reaction. She declared that she was “ totally disagree » with a decision “ discriminatory for a large number of athletes, coaches, club employees or the national team"
UEFA, for its part, confirmed a decision expected for several days: the termination of its sponsorship contract with the gas giant Gazprom. Its amount is estimated at 40 million euros per year.
Question: will the international federations chaired by a Russian leader be able to maintain their trust in him? The debate concerns three instances of Summer Olympic sports: fencing (FIE) with Alisher Usmanov, boxing (IBA) with Umar Kremlev, and shooting (ISSF) with Vladimir Lisin.
The hottest issue undoubtedly concerns fencing and Alisher Usmanov. The Russian billionaire has just been sanctioned by the European Union for his links with the Moscow regime. His assets are frozen and he is prohibited from entering and transiting through all countries of the European Union.
Several major countries in world fencing are currently putting pressure on him to renounce, at least temporarily, his mandate as president of the FIE. So far, without success.
