The ministers of 35 countries agreed to take measures to prevent the participation of athletes from Russia and Belarus in the 2024 Olympic Games, reported Lithuanian National Radio and Television (LRT) with reference to the Minister of Education, Science and Sports of Lithuania Jurgit Shugzdine.
According to LRT, the decision was taken at a remote meeting of sports ministers. The initiative was supported by representatives from the US, Canada, Australia, Japan, UK, Germany, France Poland Netherlands countries in Northern Europe and Baltic states.
At the end of the meeting, the ministers agreed to jointly prepare a statement aimed at emphasizing the inadmissibility of Russian and Belarusian athletes participating in international competitions until they stop their aggression towards Ukraine.
It is also reported that Ukraine President Vladimir Zelensky was present at the meeting. The president emphasized that representatives from a state-terrorist have no place in international competitions, and he also stated that Russian athletes should not participate in competitions even with a neutral status, since "Russia will stain even a white flag with blood."
- At the end of January 2023, the International Olympic Committee has called on sports federations to admit athletes from Russia and Belarus to competitions in a neutral status under certain conditions - including the condition that they do not support war. This decision has been criticized by many countries, including Ukraine, Czechia, Poland and Baltic states.
Powered by Froala Editor
