"Obvious discrimination": in Russia, they were outraged by the recommendations of the IOC on the admission of athletes to competitions

The Executive Committee of the International Olympic Committee announced a number of recommendations for international federations on the issue of possible admission of Russian athletes to competitions. Thus, it is recommended not to allow athletes associated with the armed forces and national security bodies, as well as supporting the SVO in Ukraine. We are talking about public statements, demonstrations of symbols and participation in various kinds of events, one way or another related to the special operation. According to the IOC, special commissions should be created to monitor compliance with this rule.

At the same time, even if the requirements are met, Russians and Belarusians will be able to apply for tournaments only as neutral athletes and purely in individual disciplines. The IOC recommends not to allow Russians to participate in international competitions in team sports.

Obviously, such a framework was perceived in Russia mainly negatively. Thus, the President of the ROC Stanislav Pozdnyakov called the voiced parameters and criteria completely unacceptable.

"Neutral status is an obvious discrimination on the basis of nationality, a violation of the basic rights of a person and a citizen, which has been repeatedly drawn attention to over the past few months by international experts on humanitarian issues, including UN human rights experts. It is significant that their position is almost completely ignored, "the statement on the official website of the organization says.

The head of the committee also stressed that the organization categorically disagrees with the application of any additional doping test procedures against domestic athletes. He recalled that the restrictions imposed by the decision of the Court of Arbitration for Sport in the case of WADA against RUSADA expired in December last year.

As for the ban on the participation of Russians in team competitions, here, according to the representative of the ROC, there is discrimination against athletes not only on the basis of the passport, but also in the disciplines that they represent. And the demand for non-admission to international competitions of athletes who are listed in the military and law enforcement agencies or have contractual relations with them, Pozdnyakov called an attempt to split the community of athletes in Russia, to divide them into "acceptable" and "rest". All this, in his opinion, can cause damage to the sports industry of the country as a whole.

"The decisions of the Executive Committee are a farce, the principles of the IOC and the UN are violated. We demand equal conditions for athletes of all countries," the head of the ROC said at a press conference.

The possibility of splitting the sports community was also discussed in the State Duma. So, according to Svetlana Zhurova, this is the goal set by representatives of the IOC.

"Someone will make a decision, the right athlete or the wrong one. And then we have to think about whether it is worth going to such competitions at all. If someone goes, and other athletes are left without the Games , this is a real split and opposition of some to others, "TASS quotes the Olympic champion.

Dmitry Svishchev, in turn, called the recommendations illegal, and the actions of the head of the IOC Thomas Bach contradict his own statements.

"Bach declared that the athletes are not to blame and it is necessary to defend their interests. But he does something else entirely. All over the world there is a normal practice where leading athletes belong to clubs that are related to the power bloc. But then apply it to all countries," Svischev told reporters. His words are quoted by RIA Novosti.

According to Irina Rodnina, the organization should first of all explain why Russian athletes will perform without a flag and anthem.

"If earlier there was a reason - systematic violations of doping rules, now what is the reason? The IOC has forgotten its Olympic Charter and forgotten the laws of the Olympic movement. So, Thomas Bach should pick up the Olympic Charter and read what to do. They think that we will immediately run and will gladly participate in the Olympic Games. And then there will be a decision of the NOC, national federations and, of course, athletes, "the Championship quotes the words of the famous figure skater.

Meanwhile, it remains unclear how the federations will – if at all – interpret the recommendations and determine the degree of support of athletes for the SVO and their relationship with the armed forces. And whether the decisions made will be explained in some way. It is worth remembering the Olympic Games of 2018, when a number of domestic athletes were not allowed to perform, without even revealing the reason.

According to former track and field athlete Olga Bogoslovskaya, it is very problematic to reliably determine who supported and who did not support the SVO.

"How are they going to figure it out at all? Nonsense! There is such a wording that is completely impossible to fulfill, this is unequivocal. Yes, there are athletes who expressed something there, expressed their position. But there aren't that many. Basically, athletes are engaged in their own business and are focused on preparing for competitions. I would not take this point seriously at all, "Bogoslovskaya said in an interview with RT.

And according to sports lawyer Anna Antseliovich, the IOC uses such vague wording that you can bring anything your heart desires under them. In addition, the final decision in any case remains with the international federations, because the recommendations on admission are not binding at all.

"As for the creation of commissions for the admission of Russian athletes, a similar situation was before the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. There, too, commissions were created on an emergency basis, which contacted Richard McLaren and formed lists of admitted athletes. As I understand it, their tasks will include drawing up criteria for admission and their compliance with the recommendations of the IOC, "the specialist said in a conversation with RIA Novosti.

However, so far no one can say unequivocally whether Russian sports federations will agree to the participation of athletes on such terms. So, according to the head of the RBU Viktor Maigurov, a unified position on this issue should be developed on the part of the Ministry of Sports, the ROC and federations. "We are one team and will do everything together," he stressed. And the president of the FLGR, Elena Vyalbe, has already taken a rather sharp position.

"I am categorically against neutral status, especially a lot of additions: "who does not support the SVO", "who is not in the power and armed structures" and "who did not participate in the Z concerts". In general, the IOC is trying once again to shift everything to international federations, while apparently sending them an instruction. My opinion is that we do not need their international competitions on such terms!" – ria Novosti quotes Vyalbe.

She was also supported by the Olympic champion of Beijing in cross-country skiing Veronika Stepanova.

"Wouldn't you go for a fig with all your conditions and recommendations, dear IOC? I will not allow any "international commission" to examine my views and beliefs and decide whether to admit me to the World Cup. Run yourself in this case. And I can only repeat what I have been saying for a whole year: we will overcome all the difficulties. Necessarily and without a doubt," Stepanova wrote.

One of those who spoke in favor of following the decision of the IOC was Tatyana Tarasova. In her opinion, athletes should perform under any conditions.

"Without a flag, an anthem, a guide, but athletes should have such an opportunity. Otherwise, we will simply lose our sport. And now there is no need to be indignant, we need to work with what they give. Otherwise, we will have nothing to work with, "Tarasova told RIA Novosti.

Olympic champion Yevgeny Kafelnikov also positively assessed the position of sports officials. He called the voiced criteria a step towards Russia.

"Today, the IOC President gave the opportunity to participate in a neutral status. As for the military story, it seems to me that the ban applies to active officers, not to ordinary athletes. Another question is whether this is right or wrong. It is unlikely that there will be a ban on those who simply train and play in CSKA and Dynamo," the vice-president of the FTR suggested.

A similar position is held by TV commentator Yolanda Chen. She noted that she hopes for a positive reaction of international federations and the gradual admission of Russians and Belarusians to all kinds of tournaments, including qualifying ones. According to the former athlete, it is important to obtain admission to the Olympic Games, and this decision of the IOC has postponed indefinitely.

"We need to keep waiting. And our federations need to develop strategic steps together with the ROC and work with international federations in order to be admitted to international competitions for the summer season. It's going to be very cool. And the more federations act for us, the easier it will be for the IOC to make a final decision, "Chen told RT.