The International Olympic Committee (IOC) on Feb. 2 provided further details regarding its decision to consider allowing athletes from Russia and Belarus who have not actively supported the war in Ukraine to take part in international sports competitions in Asia.
The IOC said earlier in January that it “welcomed and appreciated” an offer by the Olympic Council of Asia for Russian and Belarusian athletes to have the chance to compete in Asia.
However, the announcement sparked a backlash among officials in Ukraine, including President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
In an updated Q&A published on its official website, IOC referenced the opinions of two Special Rapporteurs of the United Nations Human Rights Council; the Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights and the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related intolerance….