The International Olympic Committee (ILO) opens the door to Russia’s return to the Olympics, sparking strong reactions to Ukraine.

Russian athletes have been ruled out by the Olympics after the country’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, as it was deemed to be violated by the ILO rules. But the New Chairman of the Commission, Kirst Coventrywho assumes her duties in June by Thomas Bach, she said in March that she is contrast The ban on any country from participating in the Olympics and that it will seek to launch a “debate” to allow Russia to return by 2026.

This caused the Kiev’s reactionwhich wants to Russia was exiled From the Olympics and other international sporting events, due to the war.

The response of the country’s competent Sports Minister Yuri Mouzouka was fierce, who replied: ‘We will call the international community to reject every effort Nomination of the presence of Russian and whites in sports while the war against Ukraine continues. “

‘In the Russian Federation, the sport is part of state policythere is no autonomy and athletes and officials are part of the state propaganda state machine ‘ He said, adding that Kiev remains “firm” in his support for the ban.

In accordance with applicable rules, Russian athletes may to they are fighting At the Olympics only under a neutral flag. Some international sports federations, such as ice hockey and track, do not allow Russians to are involved at all In tournaments and qualifying rounds, which means they cannot qualify for the Olympics.

Those who actively support the Russian war or work for its army cannot also participate in the Olympics (although in practice this ban does not always apply). Just 15 Russians They fought at Summer Olympics in Paris last year, compared to more than 300 in Tokyo in 2021, according to Politico.

Moscow has characterized these restrictions “Unjust and biased”. Coventry said it is’inconsistence»To be prohibited only in some countries who are in conflict not to participate and stated that it is important to All athletes are represented at the Olympics.

But the bankers of the ban argue that Russia seeks to use the return of athletes her in large events as a regular mild power to break her diplomatic isolation and to restore the global image of.

Russia “It politicizes sports, despises the Olympic values ​​and principles of” good fight “and uses sports to justify its brutal war against Ukraine,” Mouzouka stressed.

However, the Kremlin reacted solemnly to the news of Coventry’s electiona former Olympic Olympic Champion, by Zimbabwe, with Russian Olympic Committee President and Minister of Sports Michael Degciarev congratulating her with a post on the Telegram.

“We expect that in the era of the new leadership, the Olympic movement will become stronger … and Russia will return to the Olympic pedestal,” he said.

As US President Donald Trump is trying to mediate to get an end to the war in Ukraine soon, the Kremlin seeks to relax western sanctions and the reconnection of its financial institutions with Swift, the world banking network.

It is noted that the next summer Olympics will be held at Los Angeles in 2028while the next Winter Olympics will take place in February 2026 in MilanCortina d’Abeco and in areas of Lombardy and northeast Italy.