The United States Olympic and Paralympic Committees (USOPC) again expressed their support for Ukraine on Thursday, allowing Russian and Belarusian athletes to participate in the Paris Olympics under a neutral flag.
Chairing his first meeting as President and President of the USOPC, Gene Sykes said the organization supports Ukraine, but will listen and consider a process that will allow “truly neutral” athletes from Russia and Belarus to compete in the Next year’s summer games.
“The only topic I want to address directly is the participation of Russian athletes in international sports and possibly the Paris Olympics and Paralympics,” Sykes said. – Although the conversation has changed over time, our position has remained the same. First of all, we stand in solidarity with the Ukrainian people and athletes. »
Ukraine has called for a ban on all athletes from Russia and Belarus participating in the Olympics, after the IOC said in January it was ready to allow them to compete under a neutral flag. The IOC has also defined a procedure allowing athletes to participate in the Olympic Games.
The USOPC’s main question is how the IOC will determine the criteria for “neutral” athletes, and until then wants the sanctions to remain in place.
“We encourage the IOC to continue to explore a process that will maintain existing sanctions and ensure that only truly neutral and clean athletes are allowed to compete,” Sykes said. “It is only under these conditions of neutrality and fair and clean competition that we believe the spirit of the Olympic Games can prevail.”
Sykes noted that feedback the USOPC receives from athletes and other organizations suggests there is a desire for all top athletes to compete in the Paris Olympics. However, he again stressed that any participation by Russia and Belarus would come with strings attached.
“We have listened to and continue to seek feedback from athletes, sports federations and other organizations in the United States,” Sykes said. – Many have told us that they want to compete with all the best athletes in the world, but only if it can be done in a way that ensures safe and fair play. There is real concern and even skepticism as to whether this condition can be met.
