Russian athletes who do not back invasion of Ukraine could return to competing: Bach

(just a general view, not from any side)

I think it's a shame modern temporary politics is deeply affecting and deciding so much these days: Science, Sports, Literature, ... :-(

There is the “democratic” Olympic spirit.

A timeline of Russia’s state-sponsored Olympic doping scandal

https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/olympics/2022/02/11/russia-olympics-doping-scandal/

Recent Russian doping controversies at the Olympics

https://apnews.com/article/winter-olympics-figure-skating-kamila-valieva-coronavirus-pandemic-sports-4229adb5538bc0b299e6b4f0294a1feb

The Russian government has routinely made a mockery of every Olympic ideal

The three values of Olympism are excellence, respect and friendship. They constitute the foundation on which the Olympic Movement builds its activities to promote sport, culture and education with a view to building a better world.

That is before that same government invaded Ukraine, and subjected its population to war crimes.

IOC president Thomas Bach has shown his leadership to be focused on commercial priorities over the ideal Bach was installed to protect.

(i) To draw attention of the world to the fact that National programmes of physical training and competitive sports not only helps in developing good health of young people but to create better citizens and promote development of their character and personality.*

(ii) To create in them a sense of loyalty, companionship and team-spirit, to enable young people to be more useful in life.

(iii) To stimulate the fine art by the organisation of exhibitions and similar displays in order to broaden their outlook and make life happier for them.

(iv) To inculcate among all sportspersons the concept that sports is a pastime and not an instrument for material.

(v) To create a spirit of international amity and goodwill and to contribute to better understanding among people and nations. Based on these well-defined ideals the two fundamental principles of the Olympic are that: in Olympic family there is no distinction of caste, creed, colour or race and all the competitors have to be amateurs.

How very kind. I remember when American and British athletes were banned when their countries illegally invaded Iraq and blew it to kingdom come. Oh wait, they weren't banned.

No sports participation for "wrong think"... Orwell was right.

A political litmus test to be allowed to compete in a sporting event?

Just shows what a joke the Olympics are.

Tell the IOC “You can have Russians doping cheating and spitting on the Olympics, or you can have sponsorships from Coca Cola and the like. Make your pick.”

And that would be the last we ever saw of the Russians.

The first modern Olympics were held in Athens, Greece, in 1896. The man responsible for its rebirth was a Frenchman named Baron Pierre de Coubertin, who presented the idea in 1894.

And in all intent and purposes should have remained.

In 21sr century the modern Olympics, is just a monument to commercialism, broken, a withering spectacle of a once great glorious monument of sporting achievement.

That is ridiculous!

Ridiculous idea. Many elite athletes are in their teens or early 20s and they dedicate 100% of their time to training, nutrition, physiotherapy, etc. Expecting them to have informed opinions on political events is absurd.

Yet another reason to boycott this tawdry farce. Gold medal for hypocrisy there, Mr. Bach.

Russian athletes who say they're against the Ukraine invasion - Putin will take off the team

So no Russian will end up being in the Olympics anyway

I agree to banning Russian athletes but I do not agree with the attempt to lure them back by denouncing their country. Many have family inside Russia and forcing them to choose such a public stance would endanger themselves and their families and in many cases cause break ups in the families.

If competing is their only objective they can do as many have done before and change nationalities in order to compete. Russia can not be allowed any sporting glory while massacring Ukrainians and making childish attempts to steal the land of another nation.

It is bad luck for Russian sporting people but their nation is despicable and until that changes, they should make their own choices based on Russia being banned for legitimate reasons ie, their open hostility to a peaceful European nation.

There is a right way and a wrong way. If they are "forced" to change nationality to compete they do not put family or personal relationships in danger, but the do not compete for Russia, and simply say to family members, I just want to compete and can not do so right now as a Russian.

Ridiculous and farcical.

If Russians wish to compete while their fascist government is invading other nations - let them ONLY compete under the IOC flag.

NO flags or anthems of fascist Russia ever again.

Did US athletes have to denounce the US invasion of Iraq before they could join the Olympics?

I thought Russia was banned from all international competitions until 2100 for doping violoations. If not, they should be.

Mr Bach is a kind and honest man who has a hard job juggling what is the right thing to do in this chaotic world.