The Swedish Olympic Committee's director of operations Peter Reinebo participated in a meeting last week where Thomas Bach told that they are investigating the possibilities for a re-entry for Russian athletes.
Later, in an interview with the Italian Corriere della Sera, Bach elaborated on his reasoning, saying that Russian athletes who do not support the war can be welcomed in sports.
- It is not surprising, but it follows the probe that is on its way.
It is an arrangement that should lead to some form of decision within the IOC's board.
It is our rather given scouting, says Reinebo and continues:
- This raises two follow-up questions.
One is how to show that you as an individual do not support the war, What are the criteria for that?
Who will decide that?
It becomes very difficult to find rigor, to separate the chaff from the wheat.
The second is that sports leaders in, for example, Russia and Belarus are very close to political power.
Reinebo believes that there will be decisions that will give the Russians the opportunity to participate again.
- The sounding indicates that they want to go in that direction.
I don't know what kind of decision will come, probably only the innermost circle knows.
But it wouldn't surprise me if some kind of decision like that comes.
- The restrictions are being loosened and it seems, unfortunately, that the stamina to unite to make a strong mark is not that great.
CUT: In February, the IOC wanted to stop Russian athletes from competing
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Thomas Bach and the IOC want to stop athletes from Vladimir Putin's Russia.
Photo: Martin Messner/AP/TT