Very diplomatic start for Gene Sykes. The former general director of the Los Angeles bid for the 2024/2028 Games, elected last year as president of the American Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC), expressed the support of the United States for the will of the IOC to explore a path for the return of Russian and Belarusian athletes to international competitions. He did so via a letter sent last week to athletes and other members of the American Olympic movement. “ After listening to many athletes and stakeholders across the United States, we recognize a real desire to compete against the best athletes in the world, but only if it can be done in a way that ensures safe and fair competition.", wrote Gene Sykes, whose letter is reproduced by Associated Press. The American leader recognizes it: the question is “ incredibly complex“. And it was made even more confused, according to him, by its media coverage. While recalling that the USOPC remains in solidarity with Ukraine and its athletes, Gene Sykes suggests that “ the spirit of the Olympic and Paralympic Games » must prevail. In short, participation by all athletes, without political discrimination. But the American insists: “ We encouraged the IOC to continue to explore a process that would preserve existing sanctions, ensuring that only neutral and clean athletes are invited to compete. This process will require careful management. It will require additional effort to earn the trust of our community. » As a reminder, the USOPC had been invited by the IOC to participate in its Olympic Summit in early December 2022 in Lausanne, notably in the company of two other national Olympic committees, Russian and Chinese. A meeting during which the possibility of reintegrating Russian and Belarusian athletes was discussed with a view to the Paris 2024 Games.
