The Olympic Games. The IOC wants to “explore ways” to reintegrate Russians and Belarusians, assures Thomas Bach.

The International Olympic Committee wants toways to exploreTo reintegrate Russian and Belarusian athletes who have been banned from international competitions since the end of February due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, its president Thomas Bach announced on Wednesday.

“We need to find ways to overcome this dilemma regarding the participation of athletes, to return to sports merit and not political interference.“, the leader announced to the press.

This position of the IOC is not new, but Thomas Bach spoke about it at length without specifying any path or deadline.this requires further consultations and these are ongoing, so there is no firm timelineHe ran away.

Since the invasion of Ukraine in the middle of the Olympic truce, during the Beijing Winter Games, the IOC has singled out “sanctions“accidented to the states of Russia and Belarus”.protective measuresregarding athletes who are in no way responsible for the actions of their governments.

“There is no change in our position. Sanctions should remain in placeor due to banning the flags of two countries and competing on their soilviolation of the Olympic Charter“, the boss of Olympism recalled.

But the ban on Russian and Belarusian athletes.recommendedAt the end of February, the IOC always presented to the international federations as a measure aimed at protecting the integrity of the competition and the safety of the athletes, taken by the Olympic body.heavy heartand will likely be reevaluated periodically.

“We had to act against our own values“does”what we have never done and never wanted to do is to prevent athletes from competing solely because of their passports.Thomas Bach recalled.

After the debate within the IOC Executive Council, which lasted “four hoursThe topic will also be on the agenda for Friday morning’s 11th Olympic summit in Lausanne, behind closed doors, with representatives from international federations and the three National Olympic Committees – China, the US and Russia.