Ukraine appeals to IOC over Russia's admission of "regional councils" in occupied Crimea

Guttsait has sent an official letter to the President of the International Olympic Committee, Thomas Bach, urging a response to the "recognition" by the Russian Olympic Committee of regional organizations in the illegally occupied Ukrainian territories.

Guttsait noted that the Olympic "councils" of the so-called "Luhansk People's Republic," "Donetsk People's Republic," Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia "Olympic Councils" were admitted to the ROC at the Executive Committee meeting on October 5, 2023.

The Olympic "council" of Sevastopol and the Olympic Council of the Republic of Crimea were admitted to the ROC in 2016.

Russia grossly violates the Olympic Charter

He emphasized that Russia's inclusion of organizations representing temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine is a blatant violation of the Olympic Charter.

According to Guttsait, the Russian Olympic Committee fails to fulfill its obligations to comply with the provisions of the Olympic Charter, does not ensure compliance with the Olympic Charter in its country, and participates in activities contrary to the Olympic Charter.

IOC should impose sanctions against Russia

Ukraine requests Bach to bring this violation to the agenda of the next IOC Executive Committee meeting.

Guttsait also asks to apply sanctions against Russia established by the Olympic Charter for such a gross violation of the principles and foundations of the Olympic movement.

Background

Yesterday, Russia included "regional councils" in the occupied territories of Ukraine in its Olympic Committee.

Stanislav Pozdnyakov, the President of the Russian Olympic Committee, announced this at an executive committee meeting held today, October 5, in Moscow.

He clarified that the Russian Olympic Committee accepted "new members" into its composition.