MOSCOW, April 1 – RIA Novosti, Andrey Simonenko. The decision of the Ukrainian government to ban local athletes from competing with Russians will only harm Ukrainian sport, contradicting the position of many Ukrainian athletes and members of the Ukrainian Olympic community (IOC), RIA Novosti told the press service of the International Olympic Committee.

On Tuesday, March 28, the IOC recommended that international federations allow the Russians, who do not support the special operation as neutral athletes, to begin. At the same time, the organization recommends that athletes affiliated with the armed forces and security services not be allowed to compete. It was also decided that teams from Russia and Belarus cannot be accepted as participants in international competitions.

On Friday, March 31, Oleg Nemchinov, Minister of the Ukrainian government and member of the executive committee of the National Olympic Committee, said that the country’s government has decided to ban Ukrainian athletes from participating in the qualifying competitions of the 2024 Olympic Games, in which Russians participate. athletes would take part.

“If implemented, such a decision would also contradict the attitude of some Ukrainian athletes and other members of the Olympic community. Some Ukrainian athletes have already expressed their opposition to the boycott,” the statement said.