"Absolute disrespect": Latvia opposed the participation of Russians and Belarusians in the 2024 Olympics

According to Latvia NOC, Janis Bus, no athlete can prepare for the Olympic Games without supporting his country. The President of the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of Latvia Janis Bus opposed the participation of athletes from the Russian Federation and Belarus at the 2024 Olympic Games. About it reports the Latvian portal LSM.

The publication states that the Russian Federation and Belarus will not receive an invitation to the 2024 Olympics, but the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has not yet decided whether to allow athletes from these countries to competitions in neutral status. Janis Bus believes that Russians and Belarusians should not participate in the Olympic Games during the war in Ukraine, regardless of their status. "It will be an absolute disrespect for those who died who was expelled from their homes.

Much depends on the position of the Ukrainians themselves. If the Ukrainians are very, very tolerant, then I think this discussion will be largely removed from the agenda, I would not like to want to a person as a citizen, "Janis Bun said. The Latvia NOC head also stressed that the neutral flag does not change the status of aggressor countries, since no athlete can prepare for the Olympics without supporting his country.

According to him, in the Russian Federation sports and politics "go hand in hand". It should be reminded that in an interview of July 31, the Ukrainian fencing officer Olga Harlan said that she was a victim of provocation during the World Cup, because her position did not shake her hand in the Russian Anna Smirnova in advance. Earlier, on July 28, Olga Harlan was supported by the Germany fencing Federation.