Tomorrow marks the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. It was an event that did and continues to rock the world and create great pain and suffering.
Sport played its part in the moral and economic reaction to try to persuade Russia to step back and for peace to be allowed return to the region but so far the actions of a broad (though not wholly enforced) ban on Russian and Belarus athletes, teams and venues being part of world sport has fallen on deaf ears.
Earlier this week 34 countries, including Ireland, the United Kingdom and the United States, signed a letter calling on the International Olympic Committee to reject calls to lessen sports stance by allowing competitors to compete in Paris 2024.
One year ago the IOC condemned the war and excluded the two countries responsible for the invasion from sporting participation.
Last night the IOC issued a statement that sought to quell fears that they were softening their stance.
“The Olympic Games cannot prevent wars and conflicts. Nor can they address all the political and social challenges in our world.,” said the statement.
“This is the realm of politics. But the Olympic Games can set an example for a world where everyone respects the same rules and one another. They can inspire us to solve problems by building bridges, leading to better understanding among people. They can open the door to dialogue and peace-building in ways that exclusion and division do not.”
“The overwhelming majority of the Olympic Movement, including the athletes, National Olympic Committees and International Federations, support the unwavering solidarity with Ukraine, the sanctions imposed on Russia and Belarus and the peace-building, unifying mission of the Olympic Movement.”
It did though also make reference to the need for dialogue and referenced its “mission to unite the world in peaceful competition, “with athletes who respect the Olympic Charter serving as a catalyst for dialogue, which is always a first step to achieving peace.”
Is that a window toward allowing individual athletes to compete under a neutral flag?
As with most areas of international politics different sides will read into this what they want with the ban remaining in place at the moment but the potential of a partial easing given some foundation.
Wars are rarely short term and it would be optimistic to believe that Russia will have withdrawn and peace brokered even within the next seventeen months to the opening ceremony in Paris.
This is a position on the IOC’s part that will continue to hold for as long as it does, but which will also cause concern and allow for the continued call in some quarters for a boycott of the Games should that change.
