2024-07-25 03:27:59
The Prime Minister stated that Latvia has drawn attention to the issue of the participation of Russian athletes in the Olympics. The Saeima also approached the organizers with a request to evaluate the non-admission of athletes to the Olympic Games.
“The fact that other types of athletes will participate there, without the right to advertise Russia, is the responsibility of the organizers of these games,” says Siliņa.
The politician reminded that Ukraine has decided to participate in the Olympics because it considers it an opportunity to show the rest of the world what Russian aggression means.
“It is important that we allow athletes, including from Ukraine, to show themselves,” said Silina, adding that “Latvians do not have to become bigger Ukrainians than Ukrainians themselves.”
It has already been reported that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in December, ignoring Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine, allowed Russian and Belarusian athletes to participate in the Paris Olympic Games as neutral athletes.
The IOC prerequisites for such athletes are the same as the previously published recommendations for international sports federations and competition organizers. They state that athletes can participate in competitions only as individual representatives and not as members of teams.
Athletes and service personnel who actively support Russia’s military operations in Ukraine may not participate in the competition. Also, athletes and representatives of service personnel who are employees of the power structures of Russia or Belarus may not compete.
Athletes must also comply with the anti-doping rules of international federations. The flags, anthems and national symbols of these countries will not be displayed during the competition.
Russian and Belarusian individual athletes will not participate in the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics.
A total of 33 such athletes will compete in Paris, competing in cycling, trampoline jumping, wrestling, tennis, rowing, taekwondo, weightlifting, shooting and swimming.
Latvian athletes may also have to compete with neutral athletes in several sports, and the Latvian Olympic Committee (LOK) recommends that athletes avoid any kind of contact with them.
The 2024 Paris Olympic Games will take place from July 26 to August 11.
2024-07-25 03:27:59