The International Olympic Committee has recommended banning Russian and Belarusian athletes from participating in the Games amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine.
In a statement Monday, the IOC’s executive board said that it took the decision despite the Olympic movement’s commitment “not to punish athletes for the decisions of their government if they are not actively participating in them.”
“While athletes from Russia and Belarus would be able to continue to participate in sports events, many athletes from Ukraine are prevented from doing so because of the attack on their country,” it said.
“This is a dilemma which cannot be solved,” the board said as it announced that after carefully considering the situation, it had come to a conclusion with a “heavy heart.”
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In its statement, the board strongly urged the International Sports Federations and organizers of other sports events worldwide to “do everything in their power to ensure that no athlete or sports official from Russia or Belarus be allowed to take part under the name of Russia or Belarus.”
FIFA, soccer’s world governing body, said on Sunday that Russia could participate in World Cup games but would could not compete as Russia nor use its flag or national anthem.