The International Olympic Committee (IOC) decided on Tuesday to allow Russian athletes back to Olympic Games and qualifying competitions. Whether they will be allowed to compete under the Russian flag at the 2028 Los Angeles Games has not yet been decided. The decision has drawn sharp criticism in Europe.
Commentators warn that the move rewards Russia and weakens international pressure over its war against Ukraine. Estonia’s Delfi expressed outrage at the lack of serious protests before the decision: “The Kremlin will celebrate. It is simply astonishing that there were no serious protests beforehand.”
The decision comes against the backdrop of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, which has been ongoing since February 2022. The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) had also tried to keep Russia in world football with restrictions after the invasion but abandoned the plans following protests from several European countries.
Source: www.kyivpost.com
