After U.S. strikes on Venezuela, the International Olympic Committee stated that it does not interfere in politics.
No restrictions followed even after the American attack on Iran.
The IOC demonstrated the same approach toward Israel when it refused to suspend its athletes from participating in the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milanbecause of the situation in Gaza. At the same time, the Committee warned against discrimination in connection with this conflict, stating that “athletes cannot be held responsible for their governments.” And yes, the exclusion of Russian and Belarusian athletes from the Games – this is not politics at all. It is simply such a punishment for an aggressor country.
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“At every Olympic Games, the IOC must take into account the current political context and the latest events in the world. We have always successfully coped with this. The ability to unite athletes, regardless of their origin, is of fundamental importance for a future based on the values of a truly global sport capable of inspiring hope in the world. For this reason, the IOC cannot directly intervene in political issues or conflicts between countries, since this goes beyond our competence. This is the sphere of politics. Our role is to ensure the opportunity for athletes to participate in the Olympic Games, regardless of their origin,” the organization’s statement says.
For some reason,Russia has been recognized as an aggressor, while the United States and Israel, conducting local wars in Venezuela and the Gaza Strip, continue to be present on the world’s sports arenas.With flags, anthems, and in national colors.
Does it not seem to the IOC representatives that they are applying selective sanctions against Russia and Belarus, ignoring similar conflicts involving other countries, thereby undermining the principle of “sport outside politics”? This creates a precedent of inequality, where geopolitics nevertheless manages to influence sporting decisions.
A huge number of statements have appeared on the internet demanding fairness, because if Russia and Belarus have been excluded from world sport, then the same fate should befall America and Israel. However, the IOC did not suspend Israeli athletes from participating in the 2026 Winter Olympics. This was reported by the organization’s executive director Christophe Dubi. He noted that the Olympic Charter is respected in the country and urged not to compare the situation in the Middle East with others. Member of the Triple Gold Club in hockey Vyacheslav Fetisov called what is happening lawlessness. American athletes are not mentioned at all.
If one is consistent, then the International Olympic Committee, and all federations that insist that sport is outside politics, should not prohibit participation for anyone. Neither Americans, nor Israelis, nor Russians, nor Belarusians.Nor should competitions be awarded to those countries that, in one way or another, do not allow certain athletes due to political reasons. Thus, organizers from Indonesia simply refused visas to Israeli athletes a week before the start.
Source: Global Research
