more than 30 countries supported the ban on the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes in international competitions, reports Reuters with reference to the UK government.
As stated in a joint statement, which was signed, including the United States, France and Great Britain, the war was the reason for this position, Russia is waging in Ukraine.
“There are serious concern about how justified for Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete in a neutral status, given that they are directly funded and supported by their states,” the statement says.
The document also says that athletes from Belarus and Russia can contribute to their return to the international sports community, only by putting an end to the war that their countries began.
At the end of January, the IOC proposed to participate in international competitions under the neutral flag of only those Russians and Belarusians who openly opposed the war in Ukraine. But this proposal was not supported.