We are doing our best to bring Russia and Belarus back to international competitions, - IOC President

International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach said that the IOC is working to help athletes with Russian or Belarusian passports return to international competitions. In an interview with the Xinhua news agency, Bach noted that the IOC needs time to see how their recommendations for returning Russian and Belarusian passports are accepted and respected.

One of the recommendations mentioned by Bach at the March executive committee is that athletes from these two countries could participate in the Paris Olympics with neutral status.

"Now we are making every effort to fulfill the mission of returning athletes with Russian or Belarusian passports to the international arena," said the head of the IOC.

Bach emphasized that the IOC is in very close contact and exchange with the international federations that are responsible for hosting their competitions.

"We very much hope that this mission can be accomplished under the conditions that have been established. So that athletes from these two countries can compete in neutral status. So that we can really bring the whole world together at the Olympic Games in Paris," he added.

Bach acknowledged that there is a risk of politicizing the decision, but insists that "any boycott will only punish their own athletes."

"There are statements by governments who want to decide who can participate in the Olympics and international sports competitions and who cannot. Our firm position is that these decisions must be made by responsible sports organizations. Governments have the right to express their position, but they also understand that any boycott will only punish their own athletes and deprive their citizens of the opportunity to be proud of their athletes," summed up the IOC president.

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