Thomas Bach, head of the International Olympic Committee, noted that the suspension of Russian and Belarusian athletes violates human rights and the Olympic Charter in an interview with CNBC TV18.
Discrimination against athletes should not take place in modern sports. Many representatives of the sports community talk about this and support this idea. Earlier, We Compete As One Foundation had sent an open letter to IOC President Thomas Bach.
In its letter, Foundation urged the head of the International Olympic Committee to take all possible measures to eliminate discrimination in sports and facilitate the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes to international competitions without additional conditions and restrictions beyond the scope of the Olympic Charter. Sport and politics are two important areas, the mixing of which leads to serious issues and provokes a split in the sports community.
Nikita Mazepin, Chairman of the Board of We Compete As One Foundation:
“We welcome Thomas Bach’s recent statement. It is a great joy that we have been heard. It is important for Russian athletes to remain a part of the Olympic movement and continue to participate in international competitions, especially in the Olympics. Athletes should be judged by their results, which they have been dedicated their entire lives to achieving.”