After a year of large-scale war against Ukraine, Russian athletes still have the opportunity to participate in the Olympics under the neutral flag. The International Olympic Committee, despite expressing solidarity with the Ukrainian position, does not plan to prevent Russian and Belarusian participants from competing because of their passports.
However, even without a flag, they still represent aggressor states, creating a precedent for the future that any violence can be left without consequences in the public sphere. While the governments of 34 countries called on the International Olympic Committee to exclude Russia and Belarus from the Paris 2024 Olympics, the aggressor state still tries to continue the rhetoric of sport being “beyond politics”.
However, Russia has been a weaponizing sport for years, using it as another instrument of propaganda, as it did with culture. As a result, all Russian participants should share the responsibility for Russian aggression and war crimes in Ukraine — and banning from competing in the Olympics is fear enough.
UKRAINE IN FLAMES project is created by Ukraine Crisis Media Center and NGO “Euroatlantic Course”. We are aiming at searching a loud support for Ukraine in the war started by Russia on the 24th of February 2022.
If you want to support Ukraine against Russian aggression, check the link with recommendations by Ukraine Crisis Media Center – https://uacrisis.org/en/help-ukraine.
NGO Euroatlantic Course collects donations to support Ukrainian Army and civilians – https://eac.org.ua/en/main-page/.
How you can help Ukraine against Russian aggression:
Come back alive – https://bit.ly/3Ct6O2L (works directly with the command and personnel of military units, purchasing infrared thermal imaging cameras, night vision goggles, hemostatics etc);
CO Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundation – https://bit.ly/3Svas1G (purchases supplies for Ukrainian army, such as armor, ammunition, first-aid kits, cars and ATV, humanitarian aid for civilians, and food for animals);
UNITED 24 – https://bit.ly/3M2mXiT (was launched by the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy as the main venue for collecting charitable donations in support of Ukraine. Funds will be transferred to the official accounts of the National Bank of Ukraine and allocated by assigned ministries to cover the most pressing needs)
Army SOS – https://bit.ly/3UYK168 (manages purchases of necessary ammunition, shields, intercommunication and reconnaissance facilities, etc. and delivers all goods directly);
Vostok SOS – https://bit.ly/3Ruut75 (raising funds for various needs of the army);
Phoenix Wings – https://bit.ly/3RvWSd0 (the appropriate equipment & uniform, personal non-lethal protection (vests, helmets), required treatment of the wounded soldiers, and repair of the buildings used by the army).
