During the full-scale invasion of Russia into Ukraine, more than 400 Ukrainian athletes died. This information was officially confirmed by the head of the National Olympic Committee of Ukraine, Vadym Gutzait.
Hundreds of Ukrainian athletes became victims of the Russian Federation's war against Ukraine
Journalists asked the former Minister of Youth and Sports of Ukraine to comment on the decision regarding the participation of Russian athletes in the Olympic Games in Paris in 2024.
Vadym Gutzait drew attention to the fact that hundreds of our athletes died as a result of the full-scale invasion of the Russian invaders, but this did not stop the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
What is essential to understand is that on December 8, the IOC officially confirmed that it allows Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete as Individual Neutral Athletes (INA) with "strict conditions of admission".
However, even this decision provoked anger in the aggressor country. The Russians complain that they will have to compete without their tricolour.
We are losing people... Is this fair to us? Gutzeit asks.
Although the IOC has come under a barrage of criticism not only from the Ukrainian authorities but also from other countries, demands not to allow Russians and Belarusians into the International Olympic Committee are still ignored.
Ukraine may still refuse to participate in the 2024 Olympic Games
According to Vadym Gutzeit, the participation of Ukrainian athletes in the Games is a significant symbol of the country's existence on the international stage.
He also confirmed that all possible processes are underway to prepare our athletes for the competition. Still, a final decision on the team's participation will be taken later.
It is worth noting that the leadership of the IOC has repeatedly promised that it will not allow those athletes and support personnel who openly support the Russian Federation's war against Ukraine to the Olympic Games.
This ban will also apply to those who served or are associated with Russia and Belarus's military or security organizations.
