By Manasi Pathak

(Reuters) – Following Russia’s invasion in Ukraine, the International Olympic Committee has recommended that sport federations prohibit Russian and Belarusian athletes as well as officials from taking part in sporting events.

According to the IOC, the executive board took the decision in order “to protect the integrity and safety of international sports competitions” and with “a heavy heart.”

Russian Olympic Committee disagrees with IOC. It stated that it “contradicts both regulatory documents of IOC as well the (Olympics) Charter”.

“As a start, we feel it necessary to ask international federations about the status of Russian athletes. They have the authority and right to admit them to international competitions.

The Russian Olympic Committee will, for its part and in concert with other federations around the world, support the rights and interests Russian athletes.

This statement by the IOC is made just before the Winter Paralympics begin in Beijing, China on Friday. On Wednesday, the International Paralympic Committee will be meeting to discuss Russia in advance of the Games.

FIFA and UEFA, the soccer governing bodies for football in Russia, have also announced that they will suspend Russia’s national and club team from participating in any international competitions.

International sports bodies have already reacted against Russia, refusing to play or host against Russian teams.

IOC’S STATEMENT: ‘SMOKE & MIRRORS’

Atheletes representing Ukraine and other countries have asked the IOC/IPC to immediately suspend Russia’s and Belarus’ athletes from sporting events.

Global Athlete, an athlete-led international movement, stated that the IOC’s statement had “angry” and “appalled”.

Global Athlete director-general Rob Koehler stated that the IOC had once more made “smoke and mirror” recommendations, and refused to act against Russia or Belarus in a statement.

“In addition to this, the Paralympics begin in days. The International Paralympic Committee’s silence and lackluster action speaks volumes about their alignment with Russia. They favour principles over athletes and favor politics over principles.

Athletes demand that all Russian and Belarusian Paralympic athletes be expelled from 2022 Beijing Paralympic Games. Globally, athletes have lost faith in Paralympic and Olympic movements.

IOC also urged sports federations to make sure that Russia and Belarus do not allow athletes or officials to compete under their names.

Russian and Belarusian nationals as individuals or in teams should only be considered neutral athletes. “No national symbols, colours or flags are allowed to be displayed,” said the statement.

The board stated that it would only be done in extreme cases if the situation was not resolved by the appropriate organizations.

“In these circumstances, the IOC EB examined in particular the upcoming Paralympic Winter Games Beijing 202022 and reiterated it full support to the International Paralympic Committee(IPC) as well as the Games,” said the statement.

OLYMPIC ORDER WITHDRAWN IN PUTIN

IOC repeated its advice not to organize any sporting event in Russia and Belarus.

Also, the IOC stated that it made the decision to remove the Olympic Order from any person currently holding an important position in the Russian Federation’s government. This includes Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Putin received a medal in the Olympic Order, the most prestigious award given by the Olympic Movement.

Dmitry Chernyshenko, Deputy Prime Minister, and Dmitry Kozak (Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office), were also stripped of their titles.

According to the IOC’s statement, it took the decision due to “exceptional circumstances and consideration of the very grave violation of Olympic Truce and other violations by the Russian government of the Olympic Charter in the past”.

The Ukrainian health ministry stated on Sunday that 352 civilians including 14 children had died in the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The invasion’s main staging ground was Belarus.

Russia describes its actions against Ukraine as “special operation”, which it claims is not intended to occupy the territory, but destroy the military capabilities of its south neighbour and capture what it considers dangerous nationalists.