NOC of Belarus considers statement of IOC Executive Committee as attempt to correct discriminatory decision

The NOC of Belarus will not tolerate the disrespectful treatment of its athletes, who have always represented the Belarusian state on the world stage with honor and dignity and have made a significant contribution to the history of the Olympic movement. This is the official position of the organization concerning the statement of the Executive Committee of the International Olympic Committee.

On 28 March Thomas Bach named a number of conditions under which the Belarusian and Russian athletes in a neutral status could be admitted to international competitions. The National Olympic Committee considers the statement of the Executive Committee as an attempt to rectify the discriminatory decision of 2022 and notes the desire of the IOC leadership to find a way out of the situation.

Victoria Mennanova, Head of the Information Department of the National Olympic Committee of Belarus:

“We do not agree with the presented recommendations of the IOC on the participation of Belarusian and Russian athletes in international competitions. Unreasonable restrictions on the use of the state symbols, on the performance in the team competitions and belonging to the power structures are of discriminatory nature. We responsibly declare that while making certain decisions we first of all are guided by the interests of the athletes themselves.”

In this regard, we will pay special attention to the conditions of participation of Belarusians in international competitions, which will be offered by international federations. Moreover, the NOC of Belarus urged the International Olympic Committee, the international sports organizations and the national Olympic committees of all countries to follow Olympic principles in their entirety and to unite, not divide the athletes all over the world.