In July, the IOC finally confirmed that teams from Russia and Belorussia would not be invited to the the Summer Olympics in 2024. The announcement was slow in coming and it was seen by many as the inevitable result of mounting opposition and applied pressure - a capitulation rather than a principled stand. How very typical of the IOC and the unprincipled and cowardly leadership of its president, Thomas Bach. 

The IOC states that it will make a ruling on whether or not individual athletes from those countries can compete under a flag of neutrality at the appropriate time. When is the appropriate time? What could possibly happen between now and the opening ceremony that could have a bearing on their decision making? What horror has yet to be perpetrated that hasn’t already been perpetrated that would sway Herr Bach? No… he is simply waiting to see whether a number of countries follow through with their threat to boycott the Games. If enough countries followed suit, the Games would be rendered meaningless and the IOC’s hand would be forced in a desperate last minute bid to save them. How utterly gutless. But this comes as no surprise to those who have followed this story from the beginning and observed how the IOC reaches it decisions. 

As I write this, the World Athletics Championships enters its sixth day. The event has brought the issue back into the spotlight with renewed focus. The IAAF, brilliantly led by Lord Coe, is unequivocal: Russian and Belorussian athletes have no place at the Championships whilst a brutal and illegal war is being waged in Ukraine. For many, the sooner he, or someone with similar courage and integrity is appointed President of the IOC, the better! 

Ben Galloway 24.08.23

For a full update on the situation as it stands currently, please see the following article: 

https://www.npr.org/2023/07/14/1187641752/ioc-not-invite-russia-and-belarus-to-2024-olympics