President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) Tiny Cox spoke out against the admission of athletes from Russia and Belarus to the 2024 Olympics in Paris.

" That is why it is important that sport promote the values \u200b\u200bof peace, democracy, human rights and the rule of law..

The decision to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to participate in the 2024 Games in Paris in the face of Russia's large-scale aggressive war against Ukraine is considered by many not only to be contrary to the mission of Olympism to promote peace, but also to expand opportunities and serve the propaganda purposes of the aggressor..

For many, the participation of Russian athletes, a significant number of whom are members of the Russian armed forces or intelligence agencies, is absolutely unthinkable and unacceptable, given the tragic loss of thousands of Ukrainian lives, the serious war crimes committed by the Russian army in Ukraine, and the pain and suffering that this aggression continues to cause..

It is worth noting that the PACE spring plenary session in Strasbourg will end on April 28.

It hosted open hearings regarding the possible admission of Russians and Belarusians to the 2024 Olympics.

On March 28 of this year, the IOC returned Russians and Belarusians to international sports with a number of restrictions.. Individual athletes were allowed to compete, while the ban remains in place in team sports.. However, a decision regarding the Olympics has not yet been made..

[see_also ids\u003d"

Previously titled Czech athlete opposed the admission of Russians to the 2024 Olympics.