Nordic countries against Belarus and Russia athletes competing internationally

The Olympic and Paralympic Committees and sports federations of the Nordic countries sent a letter to the International Olympic Committee on Tuesday. In it, they reiterated their opposition to allowing Belarusian and Russian athletes to participate in international sports competitions, including the 2024 Olympics in Paris, Reuters reported.

The letter was signed by representatives of Sweden, Norway, Iceland, Denmark along with Greenland, the Faroe Islands, and Finland. They are convinced that it is not yet time to consider the return of Belarusians and Russians to international sport. "The situation with the war in Ukraine has not changed," they said in a statement. "Therefore, we remain firm in our position: not to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials to participate in international sports competitions.

The International Olympic Committee said the UN's position on "discrimination on national grounds" as well as "the principles of the Olympic movement" do not allow for the continued total exclusion of Belarusians and Russians from international competitions. A discussion began on the possibility of allowing Belarusians and Russians to compete in Asia to qualify for the Olympics. Some countries, first of all Ukraine, were strongly against it and threatened to boycott the Olympics.

During the upcoming meeting, sports ministers of 40 countries will express their attitude to the possible participation of athletes from Belarus and Russia in the Olympics.