Australia backs IOC plan for Russia, Belarus athletes

The Australian Government has distanced itself from calls for Russian and Belarusian athletes to be banned from the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Australian Sports Minister Anika Wells was among the representatives from 35 countries present at a virtual summit yesterday to discuss the issue, which appears likely to dominate the build-up to next year’s Games.

Her Lithuanian counterpart Jurgita Šiugždiniene had suggested “all countries are unanimous” in opposing the presence of Russian and Belarusian athletes.

However, Wells has publicly backed the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) plans to “explore a pathway” for Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete under “strict conditions” of neutrality.

“Respect for human rights and peaceful relations between nations form the foundation of international sport,” she said, as reported by Special Broadcasting Service.

Australia was the first country to be awarded the Olympic and Paralympic Games under the IOC’s new bidding process, with Brisbane set to host the 2032 edition, although there have been funding disputes between Federal and State Governments since Anthony Albanese succeeded Scott Morrison as Australian Prime Minister last year.

It was one of the 37 countries which supported a ban on Russian and Belarusian athletes from competitions in March last year, following on from the IOC’s recommendation on their non-participation in response to the war in Ukraine.

The United States was represented by Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs Lee Satterfield, but has said it wants to see further details from the IOC on its proposal.

The IOC has moved towards readmitting both countries’ athletes into international sport in recent weeks, although this has sparked a furious response in Ukraine and Paris’ Mayor Anne Hidalgo has expressed her opposition to a Russian and Belarusian presence at next year’s Olympics.

The French Government and Paris 2024 have insisted that a final decision lies with the IOC.

A collective statement is expected in the “coming days” from Saturday’s summit.

Despite suggestions from Šiugždiniene and Poland’s Sports Minister Kamil Bortniczuk of support for a ban, participants appeared to rule out a collective boycott.

Ukraine and Latvia are two nations who have said they would consider shunning Paris 2024 if Russia and Belarus attend.

Bortniczuk suggested that Russian and Belarusian dissident athletes could compete as a team of refugees.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed the summit, insisting Russia should have “no place at sports and Olympic competitions” and accusing the IOC of having “lost” its “honesty”.

The IOC has expressed its “solidarity with Ukraine”, but has warned that a boycott of Paris 2024 would be a breach of the Olympic Charter. – Inside the Games.