17
Apr
2023
Watch
One-minute speeches on matters of political importance
Mr President, dear colleagues, I would like to ask how many more Ukrainian athletes must die for the International Olympic Committee to exclude Russia and Belarus from the Olympic Games. The recent delay in the final decision only creates a way for Russian and Belarusian athletes to go through the qualification. Moreover, Ukraine’s sport ministry has banned its athletes from competing in international competitions involving Russia and Belarus. This is a win for Russia: no Ukrainians in Paris in 2024, only Russians waving their so-called neutral flag. I raise this issue again and I will do so until the President of the IOC, Thomas Bach, finally understands that the only flag Russia should use is the white one on the battlefield.