Irish Voice Added to Statement Opposing Russian Readmission to Sporting Circles

Ireland is one of 41 countries that have signed and published a statement saying that sport should not be allowed to be used by Russia to legitimise its illegal and unprovoked war on Ukraine.

The statement was confirmed at the International Conference of Ministers and Senior Officials Responsible for Physical Education and Sport.

The conference heard that 317 athletes and coaches had been killed in the war to date and that 363 sporting facilities had been destroyed or damaged in Ukraine.

The conference was staged in Azerbaijan by UNESCO and the statement is another powerful voice ensuring pressure on organisations like the IOC and FIFA to stay strong in isolating Russia from sporting competition while war rages.

“The 41 Ministers of Sports and senior officials are united here today and we therefore urge the International sport community to continue showing its solidarity with regard to the Ukrainian people by supporting the pursuit of the reconstruction of Ukraine’s sporting facilities where possible.

“Russia should not be allowed to use sport to legitimise its illegal and unprovoked war on Ukraine and Belarus should not able to use sport to justify its complicity in the war led by Russia against Ukraine.

“Russia must stop its attacks on Ukraine and withdraw its military troops and equipment from the entire Ukrainian territory within its international recognised borders including its territorial waters.”

The signatories were Albania, Andorra, Australia, Belgium, Britain, Bulgaria, Canada, Cook Islands, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Norway, New Zealand, The Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland and Ukraine.

The IOC has said that Russian and Belarus athletes will be able to compete under a neutral flag and this is an issue which is going to become more contentious the closer the Paris Games get and the longer the war continues.

Speaking to the conference Ukraine President Vladimir Zolensky said “If, God forbid, the Olympic principles are destroyed and Russian athletes are allowed to participate in any competitions or the Olympic Games, it’s just a matter of time before the terrorist state forces them to play along with the war propaganda.”