The International Olympic Committee (IOC) insisted on January 31 that the sporting sanctions on Russia and Belarus, imposed over the invasion of Ukraine, are not negotiable. These include bans on Russian and Belarusian athletes competing under their countries' flag. The head of Russia's Olympic Committee, Stanislav Pozdnyakov, had said earlier that athletes representing Russia must not be subjected to different conditions than those of other countries, amid a growing row over their possible participation in the Paris 2024 Olympics. "The sanctions against the Russian and Belarusian state and governments are not negotiable," an IOC spokesperson said. "They have been unanimously confirmed by the recent Olympic summit meeting on December 9."
IOC Says Sporting Sanctions On Russia 'Not Negotiable'
The IOC was responding to remarks made by the head of Russia's Olympic Committee, Stanislav Pozdnyakov (pictured), who had said that athletes representing Russia must not be subjected to different conditions than those of other countries. (file photo)