(ATR) The International Olympic Committee has taken provisional measures against Alexander Lukashenko and Belarusian NOC executives, banning them from future IOC events and the Olympic Games.
"In view of the allegations and elements received by the IOC and the response received from the NOC of Belarus, the IOC has come to the conclusion that the NOC of Belarus has not appropriately protected the Belaurusian athletes from political discrimination within the NOC, and I stress within the NOC, their member federations or the sports movement," IOC President Thomas Bach told media during a virtual press conference following an IOC Executive Board meeting on Monday.
"This is contrary to the fundamental principles of the Olympic Charter, and therefore seriously affects the reputation of the Olympic Movement," he said.
The IOC launched a formal investigation into the Belarusian NOC on November 25, researching claims by the Belarusian Sports Solidarity Foundation and athletes that Belarusian authorities violated athletes’ rights by detaining and even abusing individuals for expressing their political views and protesting against the government.
Bach also said the IOC requests all international federations to permit eligible Belarusian athletes the pursuit of qualification for the Tokyo Games without political discrimination.
He declared that all IOC funding to the Belarusian NOC will be suspended, with the exception of payments related to the preparation of athletes for the Tokyo 2020 and Beijing 2022 Games. All Olympic scholarship monies will now go directly to athletes.
Bach emphasized, that in addition to the immediate ban against Lukashenko, the Belarusian and NOC president, also sanctioned are NOC first vice president Viktor Lukashenko and Belarusian ice hockey president and board member Dmitry Baskov. The latter has been linked to the death of Minsk citizen Roman Bandarenka.
Finally, any discussions with the NOC of Belarus regarding the hosting of future IOC events will be suspended.
Bach requested all constituents of the Olympic Movement to "respect these measures in the interest of protecting Belarusian athletes and the reputation of the Olympic Movement."
The IOC president also addressed a question about calls for the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) to strip the upcoming 2021 World Championship tournament from co-host Belarus should Lukashenko’s regime remain in power.
"We have been informed by the international ice hockey federation that they have initiated a procedure against their board member of the NOC of Belarus and it is up now to the IIHF to follow up on this," Bach said referring to Baskov.
"We’ve also been told that they are monitoring very closely and discussing the organization of the ice hockey world championships there in the next couple of days and weeks, so we are expecting this result."
Belarusian basketball player and 2008 Olympian Yelena Leuchanka, who was jailed for 15 days as one of many athletes having taken part in protests in Minsk, reacted to the IOC decision, having learned of the news following a practice session.
"I’m so overwhelmed for the IOC to take into consideration and hear the athletes, I think this is what it’s all about, the Olympic Charter, the sports, Olympics and this unity of athletes and people who represent us," Leuchanka tells Around the Rings.
"We feel like IOC really has our back and they proved it, standing up for athletes, for what is right and what it says in the Olympic Charter.
"I think we’re changing history, the way athletes have been perceived."
Leuchanka was among a group of almost 700 athletes who signed a letter seeking change, including Lukashenko’s resignation, a new election, and the end to perceived illegal activities by law enforcement and the release of political prisoners.
"The IOC really looked into everything that is happening in Belarus with athletes and coaches being put under repression," she said.
"It is about justice, the truth and doing what is right. I’m really proud and grateful to the IOC."
Bach concluded: "The IOC executive board will continue to monitor the situation and reserves the right to consider any further action or to remove any of these provisional measure depending upon the evolution of the situation."
Written and reported by Brian Pinelli
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