2023-04-21 15:24:23
The cacophony continues in the great concert of international federations on the question of the reintegration of Russian and Belarusian athletes, in the context of the war in Ukraine. In turn, the international body presiding over badminton has chosen, like several of its counterparts, not to follow the recommendations of the conductor, namely the IOC.
Russian and Belarusian badminton players remain excluded from badminton competitions, its International Federation (BWF) announced on Thursday despite the recommendations of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). “The BWF is not convinced that there is a satisfactory justification for lifting the suspensions of Russian and Belarusian players and officials at this time,” the body said in a statement.
In a position criticized by Ukraine and its allies, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) recommended on March 28 the return of Russian and Belarusian athletes under a neutral banner and in an individual capacity, without however deciding at this stage on a possible participation in the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
The BWF notably questions the “clarity” of the “complex IOC criteria for authorizing the participation” of Russian and Belarusian athletes.
The sports world is divided into two camps on the issue. Other international federations such as those of equestrian sports (FEI) and athletics (World Athletics) have announced that they will maintain their exclusion measures despite the recommendations of the IOC. But several have decided on conditional reinstatement, such as those of fencing, table tennis, taekwondo and modern pentathlon.
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