Bach divides the sport

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Is it cowardice? Is it ignorance? Is it cynicism? Or is it sheer helplessness in the face of the horrors of war? The International Olympic Committee (IOC), led by President Thomas Bach (69), advises that athletes from Russia and Belarus again participate in international competitions under a neutral flag.

“We cannot offer a solution that will satisfy everyone,” Bach said at the start of the Executive Committee meeting. At least the German is right about that.

But other than that, a lot goes wrong. Athletes from Russia and Belarus should not be discriminated against because of their nationality, the IOC believes. You should let that melt in your mouth: Instead, Ukrainian athletes will soon have to share competition venues and dressing rooms with Russians if the guardians of Olympic values ​​are to have their way.

With or without flag and anthem, Russia will make propaganda

The protection of Ukrainian athletes, more than 250 of whom have already died in the Russian-induced war of aggression, according to the Ukrainian sports minister, tens of thousands of whom have had to flee, more than hundreds of thousands of whom can no longer train properly because Putin attacked their homeland ? It does not interest the IOC grandees much.

Her response to doubts and criticism: According to the IOC, only Russians who are not pro-regime and not affiliated with the army should be admitted. Anyone who has spent just five minutes with Russian sport and the Russian propaganda machine knows that it doesn’t matter whether the athletes say anything, whether they show up with or without flag and anthem – all Russian successes are used and celebrated by the Putin regime. The IOC knows that.

The world associations must pay for what the IOC recommends

And even that would not be the case, it must be said that the consequences of the decision are devastating. Even though the recommendation for the Olympic Games in 2024 and 2026 does not yet apply: Bach and his IOC divide the sport. Because now it is the world federations that have to decide what to do with the athletes from Russia and Belarus, who have been excluded so far.

The athletics athletes, for example, decided this last week. “Our position is very clear,” said World Athletics president Sebastian Coe. He also knows that he cannot make everyone happy. But he sides with the Ukrainians. “There are no misunderstandings. It is in the interest of our sport: the exclusion remains.” In all likelihood, no Russian or Belarusian athletes will start at the Olympic Games in Paris 2024 – those who cannot compete cannot qualify and thus will not fight for medals.

Elsewhere, however, it can be merry. The former fencer Bach, who has not been particularly critical of Russia in recent years, could perhaps ask his old world federation. The ban on Russian and Belarusian athletes was lifted there two weeks ago, since then the Ukrainians have announced that they will boycott competitions with Russians and Belarusians and World Cup events in Germany and Sweden have been cancelled. Fun fact: the fencing club depends on an infusion from the Russian oligarch Alisher Usmanov.

Bach overlooks tennis conflicts

The reasoning of Bach and his IOC consortia that the participation of Russians and Belarusians works perfectly in some sports seems downright bizarre. “There were no security incidents at any of these matches,” says Bach. And overlooks the reports of the clashes between neutral athletes from Russia and Belarus and Ukrainians, which have increased in recent weeks, for example in women’s tennis.

Swiss Olympic will comment on the subject on Wednesday after its executive council meets. So far, the Swiss umbrella organization had shown a clear lead. It is to be hoped that it will remain so. Although that does not change the IOC recommendation.

Source : Blick