IOC Suspends Russian Olympic Committee, Here’s Why?

In a bold move, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Executive Board has announced the suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) with immediate effect. This decision comes in the wake of the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, a crisis that has claimed thousands of lives on both sides.

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The IOC’s statement cites the unilateral decision made by the Russian Olympic Committee on October 5, 2023, as the key catalyst for the suspension. The ROC had chosen to include regional sports organizations under the authority of the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of Ukraine, specifically Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk, and Zaporizhzhia.

#WATCH | Maharashtra: International Olympic Committee (IOC) Executive Board meeting underway in Mumbai. pic.twitter.com/2bIVO1P4eZ

— ANI (@ANI) October 13, 2023

According to the IOC, this move constitutes a breach of the Olympic Charter, as it infringes upon the territorial integrity of the NOC of Ukraine—a territory officially recognized by the International Olympic Committee.

As a consequence of this suspension, the Russian Olympic Committee is stripped of its status as a National Olympic Committee, as per the Olympic Charter. Moreover, it will no longer receive funding from the Olympic Movement. The IOC’s position and recommendations from March 28, 2023, which called for the right to decide on the participation of individual neutral athletes with Russian passports in the Olympic Games Paris 2024 and the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026, will remain in place and continue to be upheld.

The IOC Executive Board has further emphasized its authority by reserving the right to take additional decisions or measures based on the evolving situation between Russia and Ukraine. This development has sent shockwaves through the international sporting community and raised questions about the future of Russian athletes’ participation in major global events.

International Olympic Committee President, Thomas Bach, lauded Reliance Foundation and International Olympic Committee Member Mrs. Nita M. Ambani in his opening address on the first day of the IOC Executive Board meeting in Mumbai today.

“Reliance Foundation’s work exactly… pic.twitter.com/rGSsCMGl7R

— Reliance Foundation (@ril_foundation) October 12, 2023

The conflict between Russia and Ukraine, which erupted on February 24, 2022, has exacted a devastating toll on both nations. Tens of thousands have lost their lives, and the situation remains volatile, with civilian targets continually under threat. Accusations of mass civilian casualties and the mistreatment of captured Ukrainian soldiers have further complicated the situation.

In a recent tragic incident, a Russian missile strike targeted a residential building in Kharkiv, Ukraine, resulting in the death of a 10-year-old boy and injuries to 26 others. The Ukrainian forces have reported drone attacks on multiple regions, including Odesa, Kharkiv, and others. Meanwhile, near the eastern Ukrainian city of Kupiansk, a devastating attack on civilians resulted in the loss of at least 50 lives, marking one of the deadliest incidents since the conflict began.