After Ukraine's criticism, the Paris 2024 Olympic Committee Complies with the IOC's Decision Regarding Russia's Participation

JAKARTA - The organizing committee for the Paris 2024 Olympics said it would comply with the decision of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes in the Olympics, after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged authorities to ban Russia's participation in the wake of the invasion of Ukraine.

Last week, the IOC said the Asian Olympic Council had offered Russian and Belarusian athletes the chance to compete in Asia, drawing protests from Kyiv which called for Russian sportsmen to be banned due to the Russian invasion.

President Zelensky said allowing Russia to compete in the 2024 Olympics was tantamount to showing that "terror is somehow acceptable".

"As the conflict continues, Paris 2024 would like to express its full solidarity with Ukraine, its people and the Ukrainian Olympic and Paralympic movement, which is faced with an unimaginable crisis," organizers of Paris 2024 told Reuters in a written statement on Wednesday as quoted February 2, stressing that The IOC has taken several actions against Russia and Belarus.

It is known that Belarus has allowed Moscow to use its territory as a staging post for what Russia calls a "special military operation" in Ukraine.

Ukraine's presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak said Monday the IOC "promotes violence, mass killings, destruction" and that Russia's presence at the Olympics will give the country "a platform to promote genocide".

"In response to this, the International Olympic Committee (IOC), has taken a number of sanctions since February 2022 including: No international sporting events organized or supported by the International Federations or National Olympic Committees in Russia or Belarus."

"No flag, anthem, colors or other identification of these countries shall be displayed at any sporting event or meeting, including anywhere."

"No representative of the Russian government or state will be invited or accredited to any international sporting event or meeting."

According to the Paris 2024 organizing committee, the sanctions "directly or indirectly affect the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes in certain qualifying matches for Paris 2024".

Paris 2024 organizers explained their hands were tied over who could qualify for the next Summer Olympics.

"Regarding the presence of Russian and Belarusian athletes at the Paris 2024 Games, keep in mind that the qualification system is determined by the international federation, the IOC and the IPC (International Paralympic Committee)," explained the committee.

"Our hope is that the Olympics, Paralympics and athletes experience the Paris 2024 Olympics in a spirit of peace, respecting the values ​​of brotherhood and solidarity," the organizers wrote.

It is known, the Paris 2024 Olympics will be held from July 26 to August 11, 2024. Meanwhile the Paralympics from August 28 - September 8.