The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) called on Monday for Russia and Belarus to be excluded from international sport.

This should apply to athletes and officials.

In addition, the IOC stripped Russian President Vladimir Putin of his Olympic medal.

Michael Reinsch

Correspondent for sports in Berlin.

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The two organizations are thus reacting to Russia's attack on Ukraine, which began last Thursday.

Russian troops are also attacking from Belarus.

The Paralympic Games are scheduled to open in Beijing on Friday, twelve days after the closing ceremony of the Winter Olympics.

Both the IOC and the DOSB wrote in their reports about the war in Ukraine, but did not name Russia as the aggressor.

Both organizations complain that the exclusion they demand could affect innocent athletes.

The current war in Ukraine puts the Olympic movement in a dilemma, according to the IOC: "While athletes from Russia and Belarus can continue to participate in sporting events, many athletes from Ukraine are prevented from doing so because of the attack on their country.

This is a dilemma that cannot be resolved.” The Executive Board (EB), the executive board of the IOC, therefore made the following decision with a heavy heart: “In order to protect the integrity of global sports competitions and for the safety of all participants, the EB recommends of the IOC that international sports federations and organizers of sports events do not invite or allow Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials to participate in international competitions.”

With a view to the Paralympic Games, the IOC apparently wants to make an exception.

Where exclusion is not possible at short notice for organizational or legal reasons, it is important to ensure that no athlete or sports official from Russia or Belarus participates under the name of Russia or Belarus.

They should be accepted, whether as individuals or teams, as neutral athletes or neutral teams.

National symbols, colours, flags or anthems may not be displayed.

Where even this is not possible in the short term in extreme cases for organizational or legal reasons, the IOC writes that it is up to the respective organization to find its own way of effectively solving the dilemma.

"In this context, the IOC EB paid particular attention to the upcoming Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games and reiterated its full support for the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and the Games." The IOC reiterated its call not to organize sporting events in Russia or Belarus.