United Nations (UN) experts expressed support for the position of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on the need to return Russians and Belarusians to world sports.

The statement was published on the official website of the UN.

“We call on the IOC to take a decision in this direction and go further by ensuring that any athlete is not discriminated against on the basis of their nationality..

The IOC recommendation raised serious issues of direct discrimination because athletes should not be discriminated against on the basis of nationality..

We understand the desire to support Ukrainian athletes and the Ukrainian Olympic community, who are suffering terribly from the war, along with all other Ukrainians.

But the Olympic Committee and, more broadly, the Olympic community are also bound by the Olympic Charter and, more broadly, international human rights law that prohibits discrimination..

When states so blatantly ignore human rights, we have a greater obligation to uphold our shared values,"

The organization also assessed the desire of the IOC to allow only athletes who did not support the war in Ukraine to the tournaments:.

" The same rules must apply to all athletes, regardless of their nationality..

This includes the rule that any propaganda of national, racial or religious hatred, incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence must be prohibited.

"

Recall, the International Olympic Committee called for the admission of representatives of the Russian Federation and Belarus to international competitions in a neutral status, provided that they were not seen actively supporting the war in Ukraine and comply with doping laws..

At the same time, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky, Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba and many other representatives of the government and Ukrainian sports criticized the IOC..

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Earlier it was reported that the NOC of Ukraine will hold an extraordinary General Assembly on the issue of a possible boycott of the 2024 Olympics.