The IOC recommends not inviting Russian athletes and withdraws the Olympic Order from Putin

The CIO, whose position following the Russian invasion of Ukraine was expected, struck twice. The Olympic body’s executive board recommended on Monday banning Russians and Belarusians from sports competitions, after the Russian invasion of Ukraine and as the Paralympic Games begin Friday in Beijing.

A symbolic but strong measure, it also withdrew the “Olympic order” from all senior Russian officials, starting with President Vladimir Putin.

IOC welcomes calls for peace from Russian athletes

The IOC Executive Board “recommends to International Sports Federations and organizers of sports events not to invite or allow the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes and official representatives in international competitions”, according to a press release on this decision of the executive committee of the sports body.

Keep in mind that literally seconds after being elected as president of the IOC in Buenos Aires in 2013, and still on the podium, Bach took a congratulatory call from Putin.
Today Bach took back Putin’s Olympic Order.#Russia #Ukraine

— Karolos Grohmann (@karolosgrohmann) February 28, 2022

If “for organizational or legal reasons”, it is not possible to prevent the arrival of Russian athletes, the IOC asks that they cannot be “authorized to participate under the name of Russia or Belarus”.

The IOC also maintains its recommendation not to organize a competition on Russian soil. Breaking with its tradition of demanding the neutrality of athletes, the IOC hailed “the many calls for peace made by athletes, sports officials and members of the world Olympic community. The IOC particularly admires and supports the calls for peace made by Russian athletes”.