Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is objecting to the International Olympic Committee’s suggestion that Russian and Belarusian athletes could compete at future IOC events if they do so under “neutral” flags.
“There is no such thing as neutrality when a war like this is going on,” Zelensky said during a Friday video address to the people of Ukraine. “It is obvious that any neutral flag of Russian athletes is stained with blood.”
Zelensky was reacting to a statement the IOC released earlier this week explaining its stance on Russian athletes moving forward. The statement also covered athletes from Belarus, which has served as an ally to Russian President Vladimir Putin throughout the war.
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