International Olympic Committee Asks All Federations To Prevent Russia And Belarus From Participating In Sports Events

Illustration of the Olympics (Twitter @iocmedia)

JAKARTA - The International Olympic Committee on Monday urged all federations and sports organizers to exclude Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials from all international events after Russia invaded Ukraine.

The IOC also revoked the Olympic Order, which is its highest honor, from all high-ranking Russian officials, including President Vladimir Putin.

The IOC said its executive board "recommends that international sports federations and sporting event organizers do not invite or allow the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials in international competitions."

If this is not possible for "organizational or legal reasons", the IOC asks sports officials to take all possible steps to prevent athletes from both countries from taking part on behalf of Russia or Belarus.

This is a matter of great urgency in light of the Winter Paralympics which start this Friday in Beijing.

Russia's participation in next month's World Cup playoffs is also in doubt after FIFA's plan to allow them to play in the neutral territory was deemed "unacceptable" by potential opponents of Russia.

The IOC last week urged all international sporting federations to cancel tournaments Russia was planning to host after angering Moscow for violating the "Olympic Truce" with its attack on Ukraine.

IOC Executive Board recommends no participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes and officialshttps://t.co/XZyLIi11XR

— IOC MEDIA (@iocmedia) February 28, 2022

The IOC later lauded the "peace calls from athletes, sports officials and members of the Olympic Community around the world".

"The IOC lauds and supports in particular the calls for peace from Russian athletes," the IOC added.