'Absolutely unacceptable': Moscow slams Ukrainian attempts to ban Russian athletes from Paris Olympics
Moscow says Ukraine's attempts to ban Russia's athletes from participating in the 2024 Paris Olympics, which has gathered support from several countries, is "absolutely unacceptable."
"The attempt to dictate the conditions of athletes' participation in international competitions is unacceptable," Russian Sports Minister Oleg Matytsin said on Saturday, adding that, "We see a blatant desire to destroy the unity of international sport and the international Olympic movement."
Ukraine’s sports minister Vadym Guttsait warned last month that Kiev would consider a boycott of the games if Russian and Belarusian athletes were allowed to take part.
A group of 35 countries, including the United States, Germany, and Australia, will also demand that Russian and Belarusian athletes get banned from the games.
In a letter to Ukraine’s National Olympic Committee, the International Olympic Committee (OIC) president, Thomas Bach, also criticized Ukraine’s threat to boycott the games last week. He said a possible boycott of the Games is contrary to the "principles we stand for."
In spite of the Ukrainian attempts, the IOC opened the door for Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete as neutrals.
That stance has infuriated Ukraine and its allies, who accuse the OIC of standing “on the wrong side of history” by allowing Russians to compete at the Paris Olympics.
Norway's Minister of Culture and Equality, Anette Trettebergstuen, said it was "strange and provocative" for the IOC to consider allowing Russian athletes to compete.
"Saying the athletes should be able to compete as neutrals... Neutrality is not possible. It's a dead end," Trettebergstuen added.
The mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo also said Russian athletes should not take part, but Paris 2024 organizers, said last week that they would abide by the IOC's decision on who would take part in the Games.
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