The Ministry of Sport and Tourism has been disappointed with the decision of the International Olympic Committee of 7 December 2023 allowing athletes from Russia and Belarus to compete under a neutral flag at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine in February 2022, the Ministry has consistently taken the position that until the end of the war, athletes from Russia and Belarus should not be allowed to participate in international sports competitions, including the Olympic Games that are the main sporting event in the world. This attitude of Poland has been manifested by the country’s continued presence in the coalition of countries opposing the participation of Russia and Belarus in international sports competitions. The coalition has issued 4 statements on Russia’s war against Ukraine and international sport (in March and July 2022 and in February and May 2023).

While respecting the autonomy of the world Olympic Movement’s bodies to take independent decisions regarding the possibility of athletes from individual countries to take part in the Olympic Games, it is difficult to accept a situation in which representatives of the aggressor countries still waging a cruel war against Ukraine are permitted to compete in the main sporting event in the world.

We would also like to inform that the Ministry of Sport and Tourism remains in continuous contact with representatives of relevant authorities of Ukraine and other countries of the coalition opposing the participation of athletes from Russia and Belarus, with regard to a joint reaction to Friday's decision of the IOC.