While the IOC has recommended the return of Russian athletes to competition provided they are under neutral banners, some sports have taken the lead.
By Martin Pereira for Le Point.fr (with AFP)
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Lhe recommendation of the International Olympic Committee on Tuesday to authorize, under certain conditions, the return to competition of Russian athletes, excluded since the invasion of Ukraine, was quick to react. This Thursday, Denmark followed in the wake of Germany by announcing the cancellation of an event on the international fencing circuit, to protest against the reinstatement of Russian and Belarusian fencers decided by the International Federation at the beginning of the month.
Other sports, however, did not wait for the IOC’s decision to let Russian athletes line up for several months.
As if nothing had changed for boxing
Four disciplines have indeed taken the decision to maintain the authorization for Russian athletes, since the beginning of the invasion in Ukraine. On the boxing side, it’s simple: Umar Kremlev, a pro-Putin Russian businessman, is still at the head of the International Amateur Boxing Association (AIBA). Association sponsored by… Gazprom, the Russian gas extraction company, run by a close associate of Vladimir Putin.
The boxers were able to return to international competitions as if nothing had happened last October: “The Russian and Belarusian teams will be able to perform under their flags and the national anthems will be played in the event that they win a gold medal”, had even specified the instance.
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In cycling, the Gazprom/Ruzvelo team saw its UCI status (International Cycling Union, allowing participation in major races) withdrawn. The runners were able to continue their season, but under a neutral banner, so as not to “penalize them unfairly”, explained the international association.
Regarding motorsport, the drivers also had to take to the track without their national color: no representation of their country, no color or flag, no symbol… Neither on the circuit, nor on social networks. The Russian stage in Formula 1 has been canceled and has not been replaced.
Boycott other nations
On the tennis side, the legendary Wimbledon tournament had been radical in excluding Russian and Belarusian players from the 2022 edition. The ATP and the WTA (managers of the male and female circuits) have taken the decision to leave the athletes of the two nations to make their season… Under neutral banner, you will have understood it. National teams are however excluded from the Davis Cup.
Judo had to change its tune. Russian and Belarusian judokas could get on the tatami without representing their nation, for the Grand Slam in Mongolia on June 24, 2022 for example. Resulting in the boycott of the Ukrainians. The International Judo Federation not wanting to be faced with this situation again, the Russians are banned from competing for the upcoming Worlds.
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The controversial choice of fencing
Fencing has therefore decided to reinstate Russian and Belarusian athletes. The shooters could thus return to competition for the qualifying rounds of the Paris Olympic Games. In the event of qualification, the IOC could then authorize them to shoot… The Ukrainian federation has already announced that it will boycott each competition where Russians will be on site. The Canadian, American and several European federations have already denounced the reintegration of the Russians.
The Russians and Belarusians could also return to competition in gymnastics and wrestling: they have been invited to the Asian Games which will take place from September 23 to October 8 in China.
There are still a hundred federations that have not lifted the bans on the two nations, including certain sports particularly practiced in Russia, such as figure skating, basketball, or even ice hockey.