IOC rejects fierce criticism from Ukrainian officials

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) on Monday has rejected criticism from Ukraine over its accusation of promoting war after the body said Russians could potentially be given the opportunity to qualify for the Paris Olympics 2024. The Ukrainian National Olympic Committee (NOC) had accused the IOC of making the decision without sufficient evidence and of violating the country's right to a fair hearing.

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Mykhailo Podolyak, the Ukrainian presidential adviser at the weekend described the Lausanne-based body as promoting "violence, mass murders, destruction." He said Russia's presence at the Games would constitute giving the country a platform to promote the genocide, as portrayed by Reuters.

The IOC said in a statement, "The IOC rejects in the strongest possible terms this and other defamatory statements. They cannot serve as a basis for any constructive discussion. They cannot serve as the basis for any constructive discussion."

While Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy asked Denmark's visiting prime minister for support on Monday. Meanwhile, last week, the International Olympic Committee updated the situation of athletes who represented Russia and Belarus. But who have been prevented from competing under those flags for almost a year, and once again created a figure of neutral athletes to allow their return to the official competition.

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In addition, it maintains the prohibition to carry out sports competitions in their territories. And they also maintains the impediment of the use of hymns, flags, and symbols. These identify the two nations in any sports scenario linked to the Olympic movement.