IOC defends decision to allow Russian athletes to compete
International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach argued on Thursday that European governments shouldn't affect the autonomy of sport by critiquing the committee's decision to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete internationally.
"It is deplorable that these governments do not address the question of double standards. We have not seen a single comment on their attitude toward the participation of athletes from countries of the other 70 wars and armed conflict around the world," Bach told reporters a day after the IOC announced its recommendations.
Ukraine, Poland and Czechia were among the countries that blasted the IOC's decision, saying the athletes from these two countries must not be allowed to compete while the war in Ukraine lasts. However, the IOC is yet to decide on the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes at the 2024 Olympics in Paris.