Фото: facebook.com/UkraineMFA
Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry has described the International Olympic Committee’s recommendation to lift restrictions on Russian athletes as an alarming signal for the international community.
Ukraine is calling on the governments of countries hosting international sporting events involving Russian athletes not to allow the display of Russia’s state symbols.
“Under this flag, an unprovoked war against Ukraine continues, civilians are killed every day, and Ukrainian cities are being destroyed. The symbols of the aggressor state cannot become part of a sporting celebration.
The Olympic movement is founded on the values of peace, respect for human dignity and responsibility. Therefore, we hope that the issue of the use of Russia’s state symbols during the Olympic Games will be considered separately,” the ministry said in a statement.
Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry also called on international sports federations to maintain restrictions on Russian athletes.
The International Olympic Committee has recommended that international sports federations lift restrictions on Russian athletes and allow them to participate in international competitions. Decisions on the use of the Russian flag and anthem may be taken by the individual federations.