Estonian Culture Minister Piret Hartman has signed the joint statement of officials of 35 countries, which states that there are no reasons to allow athletes from Russia and Belarus to compete in the Olympics, writes ERR News.
The joint statement emphasized that Russia’s aggression in Ukraine still continues and the situation is getting worse. Ministers expressed solidarity with Ukrainian athletes whose training facilities have been destroyed. Many athletes had to either leave the country or go to war against the aggressor, defending their country. Therefore, the report states that there is no reason to deviate from the decision of 28th of February, 2022. It excluded the athletes from Russia and Belarus from the Olympics.
The ministers pointed out that Russia has violated the terms of the Olympic Truce, which has been supported by the UN General Assembly since 1993.
Hartman said: «Russia’s aggression and crimes in the heart of Europe, in Ukraine, continue. We, together with like-minded countries, have made our position very clear since the beginning of the war.
Russian and Belarusian athletes have no place behind the same starting line as our athletes. Estonia’s position on this issue has not changed.
We must continue to do our utmost to ensure that athletes from the aggressor countries cannot return to the Olympic Games.»
The minister pointed out that there are serious concerns about the neutrality of athletes even if they compete under a neutral flag. Athletes are still funded and supported by the country they come from. The statement also highlights the close connection between athletes and the army, especially in Russia.
The authors of the statement emphasize, that International Olympic Committee still hasn’t made the final decision, so it’s up to it to take the right step. The statement also says that Russia and Belarus can choose a simple solution and just end the war they started to get their athletes back in the international sports community.
The joint statement was signed by 25 European Union countries, as well as Canada, Iceland, Japan, South Korea, Liechtenstein, Norway, New Zealand, Great Britain, and the US. Together, these countries won 50% of the medals at the Tokyo Olympics and 80% of the medals at the Winter Olympics in Beijing.
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