IOC Bans Belarusian President From Attending Olympics On Political Discrimination

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko is prohibited from attending the Olympics as chairman of his country's National Olympic Committee. This is part of the sanctions imposed by the International Olympic Committee (OIC) on Monday.

The IOC sanctioned two other officials at the Belarusian NOC, including Lukashenko's son, Victor, who served as the first vice president of the national Olympic body.

Belarus, a country of 9.5 million that Russia views as a security buffer against NATO, has been rocked by massive protests since Aug. 9 over a presidential election Lukashenko claims to win.

His political opponents have accused the vote of rigging and want him to step down.

Belarusian athletes have written to the IOC demanding immediate action, citing discrimination and politically justified detention by local authorities.

"The IOC has concluded that it appears that the current leadership does not properly protect Belarusian athletes from political discrimination within the NOC, their members of their federation or the sports movement," said IOC president Thomas Bach.

"It goes against the fundamental principles of the Olympic Charter and therefore greatly affects the reputation of the Olympic movement," he said, adding the decision was provisional.

The IOC has also suspended payments to the Belarusian NOC while scholarships for athletes to prepare for the Olympics will be awarded directly to them.

Any plans to host a sporting event in Belarus must also be suspended by all international federations, Bach said.

Belarus is scheduled to host the 2021 Ice Hockey World Championship.

Lukashenko, who has been in power for 26 years, has ignored the protests and says they are sponsored by the West. Nor has he shown any desire to open a dialogue with the opposition.

Tokyo will host the Summer Olympics next year while Beijing will host the world winter games in 2022.