In an interview with LTV on the 12th of December, the Secretary General of the Latvian Olympic Committee (LOK) Kārlis Lejnieks mentioned that LOK is not yet ready to make any decisions regarding the participation of Latvian athletes in the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris if Russian and Belarusian athletes are allowed to participate in them in any form.
As it is known, last week the International Olympic Committee (IOC) permitted Russian and Belarusian athletes to participate in next year’s Olympic Games in Paris as neutral athletes despite Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine.
As Lejnieks told Rīta Panorāmā programme, it’s too soon to throw around the word boycott, because it puts a certain commitment for the future.
“It’s difficult for me to comment what IOC can or cannot change,” said Lejnieks. “We know what we must do.
Our fight is making sure that Ukraine participates [in Olympic games] and the aggressor countries do not,” he continued.
According to Lejnieks, LOK’s position on this will be closely tied to Ukraine’s position and their decision whether or not they want to participate in Olympic games alongside Russians and Belarusians.
“A lot can change by the time Olympic games start,” said LOK secretary general. “We have to consider France’s position as well, because they have the authority to ban athletes from certain countries. We have a long road to go. We shouldn’t rush with any decisions,” he said.
Also read: Latvian champion won’t join Paris Olympics if Belarusian and Russian athletes are permitted there
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