“There can be no neutrality”: Shmygal commented on the admission of Russians and Belarusians to the Olympics

“Neutrality cannot be”: Shmygal commented on the admission of Russians and Belarusians to the Olympics

Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal commented on the issue of the admission of Russian and Belarusian athletes to the Olympics in Paris, saying that there can be no neutrality while Russia’s war against Ukraine continues. At the meeting of the Government, he called on the world sports community to show solidarity and prevent the propaganda of war, the instrument of which is the sportsmen of Russia and Belarus, reports the correspondent.

“Another issue that also causes indignation is the situation surrounding the possibility of allowing Russian and Belarusian athletes under a neutral flag to the Olympics in Paris. These are the recommendations of the International Olympic Committee. Ukraine categorically disagrees with them,” Shmyhal said.

He emphasized that the President of Ukraine, the Verkhovna Rada, the Government and the National Olympic Committee of Ukraine have a consolidated and clear position and added that there can be no neutrality in this matter while Russia’s aggressive war against Ukraine continues.

“There can be no neutrality while there is a war. While Ukrainian athletes are being killed, the sports infrastructure is being destroyed, and part of it is under occupation. During the war, more than 200 Ukrainian athletes and coaches died, more than 120 sports facilities were destroyed by enemy rockets and artillery, more than 300 sports schools ceased to exist, 150 thousand athletes do not have conditions for training,” the head of government emphasized.

He added that Poland, Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia have already condemned the intentions of the IOC to rehabilitate Russian and Belarusian sports.

“We call on the world sports community to show solidarity and prevent the propaganda of war, the instrument of which is the sportsmen of Russia and Belarus,” Shmyhal emphasized.

Since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Russians and Belarusians have been banned from participating in most world sports events.

The International Olympic Committee announced last month that it is studying a way that allows athletes from Belarus and Russia to participate in the Olympic Games in Paris.

In response, Ukraine emphasized that it would consider the issue of boycotting the Games.

The United States, in turn, noted that Russian and Belarusian athletes should compete in Paris under a neutral flag, but many countries, especially in Eastern Europe, opposed this idea.

Polish Sports Minister Kamil Bortnychuk said last week that up to 40 countries may refuse to participate in the Paris Games if Russia and its ally Belarus are admitted to the Games.

Estonia supported Ukraine and emphasized that it would boycott, while the Czech Olympic Committee said on Monday that it was against Russia’s participation, but it would not boycott.

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