International Olympic Committee called criticism of Ukraine “slanderous”

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The International Olympic Committee rejected sharp criticism from Ukrainian officials who accused it of inciting war. This happened because of the organization's intention to allow the Russians to participate in the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, writes Reuters.

The IOC called criticism of Ukraine “slanderous”. and not conducive to “constructive discussion”.

“The IOC strongly rejects these and other slanderous statements. They cannot serve as a basis for any constructive discussion,” the International Olympic Committee said in a statement.

Recall, on January 26, the International Olympic Committee announced that it could allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to participate in international competitions. But only for those who do not support Russian aggression and on condition that they compete under a neutral flag. The IOC also said that it welcomes the proposal of the Olympic Council of Asia to give Russian and Belarusian athletes a chance to compete in Asia.

Minister of Sports of Ukraine Vadim Gutzeit warned that Ukraine would boycott the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris if Russians and Belarusians were allowed to compete.

Advisor to the President of Ukraine Mikhail Podolyak called the IOC such that it promotes “violence, massacres, destruction” and said on Monday that Russia's presence at the Games would mean providing a “platform to promote genocide.”

In turn, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called for a campaign to keep Russian athletes out of competition in Paris. In his video message, Zelensky promised to “protect sports structures and the international Olympic movement from discredit due to attempts by individual representatives of the sports bureaucracy to allow Russian athletes to participate in international competitions.”

Zelensky also said that the attempts of the International Olympic Committee to return Russian athletes to competitions and the Olympic Games – “this is an attempt to tell the whole world that terror can be something acceptable.”

, with Bakhmut and Avdiivka […] In the first half of the 20th century, too many mistakes were made in Europe, which led to very terrible tragedies. There was also a significant Olympic mistake,” the president said.

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