Posted 29 марта 2023,, 14:24

Published 29 марта 2023,, 14:24

Modified 29 марта 2023,, 15:06

Updated 29 марта 2023,, 15:06

Moskalkova appealed to the UN to protect the rights of Russian athletes

Moskalkova appealed to the UN to protect the rights of Russian athletes

29 марта 2023, 14:24
The Commissioner for Human Rights in Russia, Tatiana Moskalkova, appealed to the UN and the IOC after the recommendation to restrict the access of Russian and Belarusian athletes to international tournaments.

"In defense of the rights of Russian and Belarusian athletes, I am sending a corresponding appeal to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, as well as to Mr. Thomas Bach", - she wrote on her Telegram channel.

The appeal followed the decision of the International Olympic Committee to exclude the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes in international competitions. The decision notes that International federations will still be able to consider the issue of athletes' participation in a neutral status. However, when making this decision, the position of athletes regarding the special operation on To Ukraine, in particular, what public statements they made about this, whether they participated in government rallies, whether they demonstrated symbols in support of their own, Tatiana Moskalkova wrote.

"Aren't there a lot of conditions? Especially those who grossly violate the rights and freedoms of our athletes, making them "second—class" professionals," the Ombudsman wrote, adding that there should be no place for politics and double standards in sports.

Earlier, the head of the International Olympic Committee, Thomas Bach, said that Russian athletes would be able to continue participating in international competitions under a neutral flag. As an example, he cited tennis and cycling competitions. There were no security incidents during these competitions with the participation of Russian athletes, Thomas Bach noted. 

"We will not be able to come up with a solution that would satisfy everyone. We may have to live with this", - he added.

Earlier, more than 30 countries, including European countries, the USA, Canada and Japan, opposed Russian athletes participating in the Olympics. The British authorities even called on the largest sponsors of the Games to put pressure on the IOC and prevent the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes in the Games in Paris.

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