"Ukrainian decathlete Volodymyr Androshchuk will not be representing his country at the Paris Olympics because he was just killed by the Russian armed forces. In other news, the IOC announces that Russian athletes are welcome in Paris," wrote American historian and United24 platform ambassador Timothy Snyder on Twitter.
This was the reaction of a well-known historian to the IOC's decision to allow Russian athletes to compete under a neutral flag. At this time near Bakhmut died a 22-year-old Ukrainian athlete, who was supposed to represent the Ukrainian at the 2024 Olympics.
The committee's decision is also contested by the mayor of Paris Ann Hidalgo. She stated that she does not want to see Russian athletes in the city while the Russian army killing people in Ukraine, destroying infrastrulostand losing territory.
Sportsmen also do not want to support Russian propaganda in any way. Norwegian biathlete Sturla Holm Laegreid, who participates in prestigious competitions, spoke for the exclusion of Russian athletes from international competitions, including the Olympic Games. He believes that until the Russian-Ukrainian war changes (the invaders' departure from Ukraine), the world community should not welcome the aggressor in the world.
"It is important to note that this is a very sad situation for athletes because we know that they have nothing to do with it. But at the same time, we understand that it would be very naive to separate politics and sports, especially if we recall how Russia used to use sports to gain support. It seems to me that if we let the Russians come back, give the wrong signal," said Norwegian biathlete Ingrid Landmark-Tandrevold.
In turn, Ukraine is also not silent. Ukrainian athletes will not go to Paris in 2024 unless the representatives of the RF are removed from the competition. It turns out that the RF will take not only the territory, and life, but also the career of Ukrainians. But Volodymyr Zelenskyy fights for the participation of Ukrainian athletes in the 2024 Olympics. Ukrainian diplomats sent letters of protest to the sponsoring companies of the International Olympic Committee.
Estonia may join the Ukrainian boycott. This was stated by prime minister Kaja Kallas. She said that the participation of Russians in the Olympic Games is wrong, as the Russian army killed hundreds of Ukrainian athletes, including participants in international competitions
Additionally, the Ukrainian side sent a letter to Emmanuel Macron with an appeal to prevent athletes from Russia and Belarus from the Olympics in Paris.
