Sawt Falasteen - Ukrainian sports minister slams IOC's 'cynical' Russia decision

The IOC on Tuesday opened the way for Russian athletes to compete in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics even though Russian forces remain on Ukrainian territory more than four years after they invaded.

Since February 2022, hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian soldiers and tens of thousands of civilians, including several hundred athletes and coaches, have been killed.

The IOC's decision will allow Russian athletes -- albeit under strict conditions -- to compete in team events and qualifying competitions for the Games.

Justifying its decision, the IOC said athletes' participation in international competition "should not be limited by the actions of their governments, including involvement in a war or conflict".

Ukraine's Sports Minister Matviy Bidnyi said the IOC's decision was both wrong and insensitive because it came the day after missile and drone strikes killed 26 people in Kyiv and Vyshneve, just outside the capital.

"By easing these restrictions, the IOC is effectively playing into the hands of a bloody aggressor," Bidnyi told AFP on Thursday.

"What makes this decision particularly cynical is its timing. It was adopted on the day of mourning in Kyiv, right after a massive, devastating missile strike, that had claimed many innocent lives."

Bidnyi said it showed a "total lack of respect for sport".

"To reward Russia with concessions while our capital is mourning the victims of this brutal attack is the height of hypocrisy," he said.

The IOC ban was imposed in October 2023 when the Russian Olympic Committee decided to include sports organisations in territories Moscow had annexed as members.

On Tuesday the IOC said the Russians had assured them "it does not, and will not, conduct any activities in these territories".

Bidnyi, though, claims the Russians are fooling the IOC and says despite the best efforts by him and other Ukrainian administrators to tell them this, they prefer to believe Russia.

"Ukraine regularly provides the IOC with evidence that Russia continues its active operations on our occupied lands," he said, such as having local teams in Russian championships.

He accused the new IOC leadership of Kirsty Coventry of "turning a blind eye" to such "manipulation" and he said to do so with two years to go until the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics was "a display of ultimate cynicism".

- 'Horrific message' -

The 46-year-old contrasted the IOC's stance with that taken by World Athletics.

Last Friday, WA announced the ban on Russian and Belarusian athletes -- imposed in March 2022 -- would remain in place.

The Russians reacted on Thursday by announcing they were appealing to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

"The stance of World Athletics and (president) Sebastian Coe personally is a model of true leadership, integrity, and moral clarity," said Bidnyi.

He recounted how Coe visited Ukraine and, Bidnyi said, "chose to stand on the side of justice and the side of truth."

The minister said he would welcome Coventry and IOC officials if they wished to pay a visit to the war-torn country.

"Let them stand on our train platforms and see our defenders saying goodbye to their children and families before leaving for the frontline," he said.

"Let them visit the ruined sports academies, and meet our young athletes who have to train under missile sirens."

However, Bidnyi ruled out boycotting sports events if Russians were present, insisting "we will stand our ground... (to) ensure Ukraine's voice is heard".

The foes could well compete against each other at the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal in October -- a thought which horrifies Bidnyi.

He said Ukraine believes as many as 20,000 Ukrainian children remain "state-kidnapped by Russia".

"Allowing Russia to compete at the Youth Olympic Games sends a horrific message to the world," Bidnyi added.

"It tells the next generation that you can kidnap children, destroy schools, and murder young athletes -– and the IOC will still legitimise your presence.

"This is not sports, this is the normalisation of war crimes against children."

U.AlSharif--SF-PST