Chinese Olympic Committee supports IOC and Olympic Council of Asia's Russia-related initiatives

　　Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, January 27.

　　Xinhua News Agency reporter

　　Recently, the International Olympic Committee issued a statement stating that it will seek ways for Russian and Belarusian individual athletes to return to the international arena with a "neutral identity" under strict conditions.

The spokesperson of the Chinese Olympic Committee answered questions from reporters on the relevant situation.

　　Q: Can you introduce the relevant situation?

　　A: The recent statement issued by the IOC Executive Board is the result of in-depth communication and consultation between the IOC and relevant parties of the Olympic Movement.

In December last year, the 11th Olympic Summit of the International Olympic Committee was held in Lausanne, Switzerland. The main leaders of relevant parties in the Olympic Movement had in-depth discussions on this issue.

Gao Zhidan, chairman of the Chinese Olympic Committee, attended the meeting.

All parties at the meeting agreed that the Olympic Movement shoulders the mission of uniting the world.

The legal rights of all athletes shall be protected.

At the meeting, the Olympic Council of Asia proposed to provide a platform for Russian and Belarusian athletes to return to the international arena within Asia, which received wide support from the participants.

Not long ago, the IOC once again conducted extensive and in-depth consultations with all IOC members, international federations, national Olympic committees and athlete representatives.

All parties concerned expressed support for the Olympic Summit's recommendations and the IOC's position.

　　Q: What is the Chinese Olympic Committee's opinion on this?

　　A: The Chinese Olympic Committee maintains that athletes from all over the world should enjoy the equal right to participate in the competition. Whether athletes participate should be determined by their sports performance and should not be interfered by factors such as politics and war.

China has always upheld the principle of political neutrality in sports and opposed the politicization of sports.

We believe that sports should be a bridge that unites the world, not the other way around; the international sports community should work together towards the future instead of creating divisions.

In the early stage, Chairman Gao Zhidan and Vice Chairman Li Lingwei expressed the above positions at the Olympic Summit and the video communication meeting respectively.

In the face of many difficulties and challenges, the International Olympic Committee adheres to the principle of political neutrality, insists on putting athletes at the center, and strives to protect the interests of every athlete. We appreciate this.

　　Q: We have seen that the Olympic Council of Asia has issued a statement saying that it will create opportunities for qualified athletes from the two countries to participate in Asian events, including the Asian Games.

Will athletes from the two countries participate in the Hangzhou Asian Games?

　　Answer: The Chinese Olympic Committee will actively respond to and support the initiatives and decisions of the International Olympic Committee and the Olympic Council of Asia, and is willing to build a good platform for all athletes, including qualified Russian and Belarusian athletes, to jointly defend Olympic values. Maintain the unity of the international Olympic family.

Regarding the specific plans for athletes from the two countries to participate in the Hangzhou Asian Games, the International Olympic Committee, the Olympic Council of Asia and other relevant parties will further conduct in-depth research. The relevant plans will be in the common interests of all athletes.