Ahead of the next meeting of the Executive Board of the International Olympic Committee on 28-30 March, Estonia, Ukraine, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland wish to reiterate Ukraine’s position on recent calls by the IOC to explore the pathways for the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes in competitions as “neutral athletes”.
“We deem it necessary to remind that, day by day, the Russian military keeps attacking Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure including sports facilities and killing Ukrainians including Ukrainian athletes. Millions of Ukrainian citizens including athletes and their families were forced to leave their homes in the face of Russia’s occupation. Many athletes from Ukraine are still prevented from participating in sports events because of Russia’s attack on their country,” the joint statement says.
Foreign Minister Urmas Reinsalu previously addressed the IOC after its statement that the path should be opened for the participation of the athletes of Russia and Belarus in the Olympic Games in Paris in 2024 under certain conditions.
“It is of utmost importance that the International Olympic Committee sends a clear message that the international sports community does not condone aggression and the grave violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” the foreign minister said. “Russian and Belarusian athletes can have no place on the international sports arena,” Foreign Minister Urmas Reinsalu said.
The joint statement of Estonia, Ukraine, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland: https://vm.ee/en/news/joint-statement-ukraine-estonia-latvia-lithuania-and-poland-regarding-prevention-russian-and
