The Olympic Games will cease to exist if the International Olympic Committee (IOC) abandons political neutrality. This was announced on December 8 by the head of the IOC Thomas Bach at a press conference following the results of the second day of the meeting of the committee’s executive committee.
According to him, the refusal from political statements allows not to take sides. Otherwise, the IOC will not be able to unite the world to participate in the Games.
“This would lead to the politicization of the Olympic Games,” he stressed.
Bach gave the analogy that the ancient competition ceased because the Roman emperor intervened.
“This was the end of the Games. The ancient Greeks already knew that the Olympic Games can exist only in conditions of political neutrality, and since then nothing has changed, ”he stressed.
Earlier this week, Bach noted that the IOC cannot solve the political problems that have been building up over the years. He stressed that the organization observes political neutrality, the newspaper noted. The hill…
On December 6, the White House announced its decision to stage a diplomatic boycott of the Beijing Winter Olympics. It was noted that this step will not affect the participation of American athletes in the Games. The reason for the decision in Washington was called a violation of human rights.
The IOC noted that they respect the decision of the United States. The next day, New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister Grant Robertson said the country would not be represented “at the ministerial level” at the Beijing Winter Olympics.
Two days later, Australia, following Washington, announced a diplomatic boycott of the Winter Olympics. The UK noted that its ministers will not attend the Games. Canada has also decided to join the diplomatic boycott of the upcoming Olympic Games in China.
China responded with a stern representation to the US and announced drastic measures. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian pointed out that Washington’s actions seriously violate the principle of political neutrality of physical education and sports established by the Olympic Charter.
The Winter Olympics will be held in Beijing from 4 to 20 February 2022.
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