Sebastian Coe opens the door on Russia’s return to the Olympic program if he proclaims himself president of the IOC

The signing of La Paz, imposed or not, between Russia and Ukraine would have some derivatives that can affect sectors beyond the purely geopolitics. One of them is the sportsince Russia has been vetoed from the great competitions since in February 2022 they attacked the Ukrainian territory with the objective of conquest.

However, the country that directs Vladimir Putin It was already indicated by the Olympic movement since years ago. He State doping who lived his peak in the 2014 Sochi Winter Games (same year that Russia was annexed by force Crimea) already took them out of the program as a country, causing athletes to compete internationally under neutral flag since 2016. Since 2022, they were also forced to deny Russia, after signing a contract of a contract witnessing that resignation, Under penalty of absolute sanction: They would not compete even under neutral teaching.

It was already evident in the Olympic Paris Gameswith notable absences and Putin himself vetoing the presence of his representatives in the most important event of world sport. The attempt to carry out its own parallel competition, the friendship games, which in the end never play If you want to be a real agent in the world.

This situation can change radically depending on who is done with the victory in the elections to the presidency of the IOC on March 20. The successor of Thomas Bach, who resigned from his re -election, will have as one of his first tasks to decide what happens to Russia. One of the favorite candidates, Sebastian Coehis intention has already advanced.

“If peace is signed …”

COEexatleta in the 80s and 90s and current president of World Athletics (Official Name of the International Athletics Federation), advanced in the program of Piers Morgan that his intention is to open the door back to Russia … although he is cautious in his statement, aware that he is totally favorable to this decision You can subtract votes.

«It does not correspond to me to design peace treaties. In that eventuality, it would be necessary to analyze it very carefully. Clearly, the world is an uncertain and complicated place … All wars end with a map on the table and people, ”he tried to dodge COE, who finally responded about his idea.

«If we reach a situation, and I hope it is, in which an agreement is reached that satisfies both parties … if that position is reached, then It is much better to have people inside the sport instead of leaving them out, ”Coe ended up, which” of course “would be willing to talk to Vladimir Putin and establish relationships normally.

Sebastian Coe, who starts as the great favorite, will compete for the presidency of the COI with the Spanish Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr.the French David LappartientJapanese Morinori Watanabethe Jordanian Feisal to Husseinthe Swedish Johan Eliasch and the Zimbabuense Kirsty Coventryonly woman in the list.