The Olympics re-affirms its solidarity with Ukraine

It's around 18 months until the next Olympic Games, which will be held in Paris in summer 2024. Ahead of that international tournament, the International Olympic Committee (IOC), has published a new report that re-affirms its stance on the ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia.

The IOC has stated that the sanctions put in place against Russian and Belarussian athletes and teams will continue to stand. This means no government or state official from either country will be invited to any accredited sporting event connected to the IOC. To add to this, no flag, anthem, colours, or any other forms of identification will be displayed at sporting events either. The IOC will also not recognise any sporting event organised by Russia or Belarus, even if they are supported by an International Federation (IF) or a National Olympic Committee (NOC).

Following up to this, the IOC has strengthened its solidarity with Ukraine, adding that it will aid in helping ensure the country can bring a strong team to events in the near future. It will also encourage IFs, NOCs, and other organisers to facilitate training and preparation for Ukrainian athletes at international events.

What the IOC has decided upon however, is that Russian or Belarussian athletes must not be judged or discriminated against, and that governments should not be able to determine which events they can and cannot compete in. If an athlete from either country does wish to attend, they will need to act as "neutral athletes" and show no sign or representation for their nation, and would need to show that they have not supported the war in Ukraine and that they comply with the World Anti-Doping Code, and that if either of these areas are breached during individual checks, the said athletes will be banned from future events as well.

Hopefully this will all mean, despite the current times, we can have another amazing Olympic Games when it takes place next year.