Thomas Bach, International Olympic Chief, has insisted that the organization is doing more for peace by allowing athletes from Russia or Belarus to participate in next year’s Paris Games.

He said that the movement’s role was to “bring people together” and rejected any accusations that it was wrongly sidelining history. This was against the background of the Ukrainewar.

Kyiv and its allies have reacted negatively to the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC), decision to allow athletes from both countries to compete as “neutrals.”

Britain is one of those calling for a ban on Vladimir Putin’s invasion. This is nearing its first anniversary.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the President of Ukraine, told a UK-led summit that Russia’s presence in the Games “stains all with blood – even white flags” of the Olympics.

Bach dismissed the suggestion that the IOC was incorrect and said, “No, history will reveal who is doing more to promote peace.”

“Those who are determined to keep the lines open and communicate or those who seek to divide or isolate.

“We have demonstrated this in the past with great success at the Olympic movement.

“Our role in bringing people together”

Bach expressed his support for every Ukrainian athlete.

He stated, “We can understand their reactions from a human perspective. We share their pain.”

“Every Ukrainian athlete should know that we stand in total solidarity with them, and that all of their comments are being taken very, very seriously.”

Bach spoke at the Alpine Ski World Championships in France, a sport that has been banned from Russians and Belarusians ever since the conflict began last February.

“Russia is killing my people”

Ivan Kovbasnyuk (the only Ukrainian skier participating in the event) said that Russia was killing his people. It is not a good situation for the Olympic Committee.

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Last month, the IOC announced that athletes from Russia and Belarus could compete in Paris under a neutral flag, with no national trappings, provided they have not supported the war.

Ban ‘discriminatory’

It claims that it would be discriminatory for athletes to be banned based solely on their citizenship.

The organization also refuted comparisons to Apartheid-era South Africa being excluded for the Olympics for more 20 years. They pointed out UN sanctions at the time.

There are currently no UN sanctions against Russia and Belarus. This is because Moscow has the power to veto any resolution that it proposes, given its place at the top table.

Lucy Frazer, the new Culture Secretary, addressed the meeting of 35 countries on Friday. She stated that “Russia and Belarus cannot be allowed to compete on a world stage or at the Olympics as long as Putin continues their war.”

Boycott threat

There is a lot of support for banning athletes from Russia and Belarus. This could lead to a boycott on a large scale.

The office of Emmanuel Macron France’s president has supported the IOC position. He has also in the past argued that “sport shouldn’t be politicised”.

Anne Hidalgo, Paris mayor, demanded that no Russian or Belarusian athletes participate.

As punishment for Russia’s state-sponsored anti-doping program, Russian athletes were prohibited from participating in the 2018-2022 winter and summer Olympics.