The Ukrainian government has sent a strong warning message to the possibility that Russian and Belarusian athletes may appear at next year’s Summer Olympics in Paris.

“It is our unchanging position that Russian and Belarusian athletes should not compete in international competitions as long as the war continues in Ukraine,” Ukrainian Sports Minister Vadim Gutzeit said on Facebook on the 27th (Korean time).

It is argued that athletes from both countries should not be allowed to participate in the Olympics against Russia, which invaded Ukraine, and Belarus, which helped it.

In fact, since Ukraine was invaded in February last year, Russia and Belarus have been kicked out of all international sporting events, including the World Cup.

However, when it became known that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) was considering allowing Russian and Belarusian athletes to participate in the upcoming Paris Olympics, Ukraine immediately protested.

On the 25th, the IOC announced that “no athlete should be banned from participating because of their passport (nationality)” and that they should seek ways for athletes to participate in the competition under “strict conditions” according to the principle.

Following the IOC announcement, the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) issued a statement saying it “considered giving qualified Russian and Belarusian athletes the opportunity to participate in Asian Games, including the Asian Games.” 스포츠토토

Upon hearing the IOC’s announcement, Minister Gutzeit strongly protested, saying, “It is unacceptable.”

“I do not rule out the possibility that Ukraine will boycott the Olympics and not participate if our claims are not accepted,” he warned.

Britain and Denmark immediately strongly criticized the IOC’s position and gave Ukraine their strength.

The UK pointed out that “the position of the IOC is out of touch with the reality of the war felt by the Ukrainian people”.

Denmark also said it was “unacceptable to allow Russia and Belarus to participate in international competitions at a time when Russia’s aggression against Ukraine is escalating.”

Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, in a phone call with French President Emmanuel Macron on the 25th, repeatedly demanded that Russian athletes be banned from the Paris Olympics.

The organizing committee for the Paris Olympics has yet to comment on the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes.