Standing in full solidarity with Ukraine, the Executive Board (EB) of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) today recommended all event organisers to not invite or allow the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials in international competitions.
The IOC had on February 25 urged all International Sports Federations to relocate or cancel their sports events currently planned in Russia or Belarus as they should take the breach of the Olympic Truce by the Russian and Belarussian governments into account and give the safety and security of the athletes absolute priority.
The IOC EB today also took the ad hoc decision to withdraw the 'Olympic Order' from all persons who currently have an important function in the government of the Russian Federation or other government-related high-ranking position, including Russian President Vladimir Putin (Gold, 2001), Deputy PM Dmitry Chernyshenko (Gold, 2014) and Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Dmitry Kozak (Gold, 2014).
The 'Olympic Order' is awarded to a person who has illustrated the Olympic ideal through his action, has achieved remarkable merit in the sports world, or has rendered outstanding services to the Olympic cause, either through his own personal achievement or his contribution to the development of sport Several top personalities, including Indira Gandhi and Nelson Mandela, have received the Olympic Order.
The IOC said on Monday that while the Olympic Movement is united in its sense of fairness not to punish athletes for the decisions of their government, the current war in Ukraine has put the Olympic Movement in a dilemma which cannot be solved.
Wherever the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials in international competitions is not possible on short notice for organisational or legal reasons, the IOC EB strongly urged International Sports Federations and organisers of sports events worldwide to "do everything in their power" to ensure that no athlete or sports official from Russia or Belarus be allowed to take part under the name of Russia or Belarus.
"Russian or Belarusian nationals, be it as individuals or teams, should be accepted only as neutral athletes or neutral teams. No national symbols, colours, flags or anthems should be displayed," the IOC said.
The IOC EB, assisted by the IOC Task Force, said that it continues to closely monitor the situation and may adapt its recommendations and measures according to future developments.
