IOC President Thomas Bach has added to the dispute over the return of Russian and Belarusian athletes. The former fencer wants to bring peace to the world through communication. Therefore, he resists interference from those governments that “want to divide and isolate.”
IOC President Thomas Bach has again rejected government interference in the conflict over the intended return of athletes from Russia and Belarus to international competitions. “It is not up to the governments who is allowed to take part in sporting competitions,” said the German head of the International Olympic Committee on the sidelines of the Alpine World Championships in Courchevel, France. “It would be the end of international competitions like the Olympic Games and other title fights.”
However, the IOC will take into account the doubts of the Baltic states and other countries in view of the ongoing Ukraine war. “We’re trying to find a solution that does justice to the mission of the sport,” said Bach. The mission is to unite, not to divide and “no longer contribute to confrontations and escalations”.
When asked if the IOC was on the right side of history given Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine, he replied: “It remains to be seen who does more for peace. The one who opens up to communication or the one who shares and want to isolate.”
The IOC has demonstrated this unifying power with great success in the past at Olympic Games – as in the case of North and South Korea, Israel and Palestine or in the case of Kosovo and in other conflicts. “Our role is to bring people together,” Bach affirmed.
He understands the concerns of Ukrainian athletes about a return of Russians and Belarusians to titles and competitions. “I discussed with them the mission to bring the whole world together,” said the 1976 Olympic fencing champion. “It’s a fair discussion. All Ukrainian athletes can rest assured that they have our full solidarity.”
