Olympics 2024: Organizers ask Ukrainian athletes to avoid Russian, Belarusian counterparts
New Delhi, May 3: Organizers of the Olympic Games 2024, scheduled to be held in Paris, France, in July-August, have asked Ukrainian athletes to avoid any contact with their Russian or Belarusian counterparts, the media reported on Thursday.
The Ukrainians had openly criticized the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for allowing those Russians and Belarusians who do not support the war in Ukraine to compete as neutrals.
According to “The Kyiv Independent,” an online Ukrainian newspaper in English, Ukraine’s athletes have been barred from having any contact with “representatives of the aggressor states” inside and outside the Olympic venues.
To avoid any provocation during the Games, the Ukrainian Olympic Committee has asked athletes to avoid discussions with Russian and Belarusian athletes on social media.
Even at the medal ceremonies, the Ukrainian athletes have been asked to keep their distance from their Russian and Belarusian counterparts to avoid sharing photos and videos with them.
The Ministry of Sports said the measures are to protect 89 Ukrainian athletes who would participate in the Games.
Ukrainian athletes will compete at the Paris Olympics from May 26 to August 11.
