Thomas Bach noted that there should be no symbols of the Russian Federation and Belarus at international tournaments either.
President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Thomas Bach called on sports federations not to abandon sanctions against the Russian Federation and Belarus.
Bach tested positive for the coronavirus the day before and was therefore unable to speak at the Global Association of International Sports Federations forum, but was read by IOC Vice President Ng Ser Miang.
“Sanctions against the Russian and Belarusian governments must and will remain steadfast. The recommendations that you, the international federations, should not recognize sports competitions in Russia and Belarus and that no national symbols of these countries should be displayed at any sporting events should remain valid
That is why we have to introduce sanctions against those who are guilty of starting the war, the Russian and Belarusian governments. You all know first hand how difficult it is to close this circle with the protective measures we have had to take. This is why we must continue to explore ways to overcome our dilemma with these protective measures for athletes.
We can do this in a reliable way if we, the Olympic Movement, remain united ourselves. We can only do this if you, the international federations, comply with our recommended sanctions and safeguards,” Bach said in a statement to Inside the Games.
It should be noted that in mid-November, IOC President Thomas Bach at the G20 summit in Indonesia spoke against the removal of Russian athletes due to Russia’s military aggression in Ukraine.
Bach’s statement at the G20 summit was harshly criticized by Olympic Greco-Roman wrestling champion Zhan Beleniuk.
In addition, Bach said in June that barring Russians and Belarusians from competing violates the principle of “sport outside of politics” and makes it impossible to “honestly conduct the competition.”
The famous Ukrainian skeletonist Vladyslav Geraskevych reacted to Thomas Bach’s statement, calling his words “a step towards justifying terrorism.”
