The Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) has welcomed and supported the position adopted overnight by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to exclude Russian and Belarusian athletes from international sporting competitions, as well as other measures.
The IOC Executive Board has adopted the following resolution:
- Recommending International Sporting Organisations not invite or allow Russian or Belarusian athletes to compete in international competitions and the exclusion of Russian and Belarusian national symbols, colours, flags and anthems.
- No international sports events be organised in Russia and Belarus
- The withdrawal of the Olympic Order from senior Russian officials including President Vladimir Putin
- Welcome calls for peace from the global Olympic community including statements by Russian athletes
- Full solidarity with the Ukrainian Olympic community
- The establishment of a solidarity fund
AOC Chief Executive Officer Matt Carroll says the Olympic movement in Australia supports the IOC stance and urges Australian sporting organisations to observe the IOC’s recommendations.
“We all want peace and for Russia to immediately withdraw from Ukraine.
“We are certainly urging our member sports not to invite teams or athletes and officials from Russia and Belarus or rescind any invitations that may have been issued – and to withdraw Australian athletes and officials from any sports events where Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials may be participating.
“I am writing to all our members today to convey this position and to get a sense of which sports may be impacted by this recommendation.
“Our hearts and thoughts go out to the Ukrainian Olympic community and we strongly condemn the Russian attacks on their country,” Mr Carroll concluded.
