New U.S. Olympic head cautiously endorses allowing Russians to compete as neutrals – National | 24CA News
The new chief of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee reiterated the federation’s assist for exploring a means for Russian athletes to compete on the Paris Olympics as neutrals, whereas insisting the present sanctions in opposition to the nation stay in place.
Gene Sykes, who took over for Susanne Lyons as USOPC chair on Jan. 1, wrote a letter to athletes and different U.S. stakeholders final week after the International Olympic Committee introduced it was transferring ahead in making an attempt to craft a means for some Russians to compete. They have been banned from most main worldwide competitions because the nation invaded Ukraine final February.
“After listening to many athletes and constituents from around the United States, we recognize a real desire to compete against all the world’s best athletes — but only if that can happen in a way that ensures safe and fair play,” Sykes wrote in his letter, which was obtained by The Associated Press.
The USOPC was concerned in conferences in December during which the IOC first outlined the thought for Russians to take part as neutrals. The IOC emphasised that it doesn’t need Russians to be penalized merely for the place they’re from, however nor does it need athletes who’ve supported the warfare to be included.
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Shortly after the December assembly, Lyons stated the USOPC had signed off on the plan, although she expressed skepticism that the IOC would have the ability to create a system to find out who among the many lots of of Russian athletes had been supporting or talking out in opposition to the warfare.
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has lobbied French President Emmanuel Macron to not enable Russians on the Paris Games. Zelenskyy used a current nightly deal with to the nation to insist that Russian athletes shouldn’t be allowed to take part.
Sykes acknowledged in his letter that the USOPC stays in solidarity with Ukraine and its athletes, and expressed “very real concern, even skepticism, about whether (conditions) can be met” to permit Russians in.
“As such, we encouraged the IOC to continue exploring a process that would preserve the existing sanctions, ensuring only neutral athletes who are clean are welcome to compete,” Sykes wrote. “This process will require careful management and will demand extra efforts to earn the confidence and trust of our community.”
Sykes’ letter, despatched final Thursday, got here as extra nations are lashing out in opposition to framework the IOC is contemplating, which might name for some athletes from Russia and Belarus to be allowed to compete supplied there isn’t any illustration of their nation’s flags, colours or anthems.
On Wednesday, the Korean Olympic committee stated it needed additional clarification from Asia’s prime sports activities organizing committee, which has invited Russia to compete in Olympic qualifiers this yr — a transfer that may take away Russia from its common spot in European qualifying occasions and will additionally value South Koreans spots within the video games.
The day earlier than, Canadian Olympic Committee CEO David Shoemaker stated “this whole situation will look very different if the war is still going on in 18 months.”
In responding to the IOC announcement final week, Britain’s tradition secretary, Michelle Donelan, stated, “I want to be clear that this position from the IOC is a world away from the reality of war being felt by the Ukrainian people.”
Leaders in Latvia have threatened to boycott the Olympics if Russia is allowed. Meanwhile, when the pinnacle of Russia’s Olympic committee sounded an optimistic tone about his nation probably getting some athletes to Paris, the IOC reacted strongly with a press release that “the sanctions against the Russian and Belarusian states and governments are not negotiable.”
In his letter, Sykes conceded this was an “incredibly complex situation,” and that media protection of it has been complicated.
“If these conditions of neutrality and safe, clean, and fair competition can be met, we believe the spirit of the Olympic and Paralympic Games can prevail. This will continue to be our guiding focus,” he wrote.
© 2023 The Canadian Press
