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IOC Suspends Russian Olympic Committee Over Sports Councils in Ukraine

  • 13 Oct 2023

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has taken the unprecedented step of suspending the Russian Olympic Committee due to its involvement in a land grab related to sports administration.

Key Points

  • IOC's Suspension: This suspension was a response to the ROC's incorporation of sports councils in four regions in eastern Ukraine, a move deemed to breach the Olympic Charter.
  • Limited Immediate Impact: The suspension does not have an immediate impact on Russian athletes returning to compete as neutral athletes in international sports, including some qualifying events for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
  • Disputed Acceptance of Councils: Russian Olympic officials stirred the controversy by accepting sports councils in Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk, and Zaporizhzhia as its members.
  • This unilateral decision was viewed as a breach of the Olympic Charter due to its violation of the territorial integrity of the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of Ukraine, as recognized by the IOC.
  • Previous Similar Move: The IOC did not suspend the ROC for a similar move in 2016, following the annexation of Crimea.
  • In 2016, sports councils in Crimea and Sevastopol were included as ROC members.
  • However, international law still regards Crimea as part of Ukraine.
  • Potential for Further Actions: The suspension appears to reflect growing frustration within the IOC.
  • The IOC reserves the right to decide the participation of individual neutral athletes with a Russian passport in the 2024 Paris Olympics and the 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Milan-Cortina at a later time.
  • Russian Response: The Russian Olympic Committee criticized the IOC's decision as "another counterproductive decision with obvious political motivations."
  • This comes in a backdrop where the IOC has been perceived as lenient toward Russia during a long-running doping scandal, often avoiding a blanket ban on Russian athletes.
  • Continuation of Individual Vetting: Despite the suspension, the IOC will continue with the individual athlete evaluation process in various sports, allowing some Russian athletes to participate in Olympic events if they meet specific criteria.