President of the International Olympic Committee: Even if Russia and Ukraine reach a peace agreement, Russian athletes will not be able to compete on behalf of their country at the Milan Winter Olympics
President of the International Olympic Committee, Kirsty Coventry, said in an interview with an Italian newspaper that even if Russia and Ukraine reach some form of peace agreement, Russian athletes will not be able to compete on behalf of their country at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics.
In an interview published in the Italian newspaper "Corriere della Sera" on Friday, Coventry stated that any changes at present would not alter the International Olympic Committee's decision, which is that Russian athletes can only participate as individuals in the Winter Olympics in February.
When asked in the interview, "If Russia and Ukraine reach some form of peace agreement, can Putin's athletes fully participate?" Coventry replied, "At present, any changes will not change: athletes will compete as neutral individuals."
The International Olympic Committee has banned Russia and Belarus from participating in the Olympics due to Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. In September last year, the International Olympic Committee ruled that Russian and Belarusian athletes participating in the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics will compete as individual athletes, without using the national flag or playing the national anthem.
Additionally, Coventry, the first female president of the International Olympic Committee, said that hosting the Olympics in multiple cities, like Italy, will become the "new normal," and the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics will provide useful lessons for the future. The International Olympic Committee has not yet responded to Reuters' request for comments on Coventry's remarks. The 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics will be held from February 6 to 22.
Source: rfi
Original: toutiao.com/article/1853253789322441/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author himself