Not really a surprise: the Ukrainian authorities did not remain without reaction after the IOC declaration, published Tuesday December 5 at the end of the Olympic Summit in Lausanne, where it is said that the international federations want neutral athletes carrying a Russian passport or Belarusian be reinstated for the Paris 2024 Games. Acting Sports Minister Marviy Bidnyi told theAFP : “As President Volodymyr Zelensky rightly said: "Obviously, any neutral flag of Russian athletes is stained with blood." We are counting on a responsible decision and leadership from the IOC that will not allow Russia to use sport for military propaganda purposes.” The Ukrainian minister continued: “Neutrality is only possible in times of peace. Qhen there is a war and one nation (…) destroys another, then “neutrality” becomes irresponsibility. » During the Olympic Summit at the start of the week, the request from the international federations was supported by the IOC Athletes' Commission and the continental Olympic authorities. All parties agreed to demand a rapid decision. It could take place in mid-January, during the executive board meeting in Gangwon, on the sidelines of the Winter YOG.
