At the recent Olympics, Russian athletes were not allowed to use their national flag or national anthem. This is because Russia was punished for banned substances, and after the Russian army invaded Ukraine, it was completely kicked out of the international sporting world. However, as the International Olympic Committee (IOC) hinted at allowing Russian athletes to compete again as individuals in the Paris Olympics next year, even an absurd trick appeared. To go to the Olympic finals, you have to pass through the continental qualifiers to qualify, but since Russian players are currently unable to compete in the European qualifiers, they will instead allow them to compete in this year’s Asian Games held in China.
This is reporter Kwon Jong-oh.
The
Olympic Council of Asia, OCA, which supervises the Asian Games, made a surprise announcement that “Russian and Belarusian athletes have been given the opportunity to participate in Asian competitions, including the Asian Games.”
Russia, which invaded Ukraine, and Belarus, which sympathized with it, will be allowed to participate in the Asian Games in Hangzhou in September.
Of course, only OCA member countries can participate in the Asian Games, but it makes no sense that Russia, which is not qualified, comes out.
It is as if our national soccer team is suddenly going to participate in the European Championship.
[Korean Olympic Committee official (voice modified): We are also puzzled because the announcement was made unilaterally without asking the members’ opinions.]
Considering the friendly relationship between China and Russia, it is likely that China, the host country of the Asian Games, will also allow Russian players to participate.
If Russia’s participation is confirmed, strong opposition from Asian countries including Korea and Japan is expected.
The reason OCA made such an absurd decision is because of the IOC’s policy that Russian athletes who are not involved in the war should be rescued.
[Thomas Bach/IOC Chairman: The IOC must also take measures to protect players. The issue of allowing (Russian players) to participate should not be decided according to the political will of the government hosting the
Games . ‘. 스포츠토토
Russian athletes who did not qualify for the European qualifiers will be able to record the necessary records and accumulate ranking points in Asian competitions.
As the path for Russian athletes to participate in the Olympics is reopened, Ukraine, where 180 athletes died in the war, is strongly protesting.
The Minister of Sports of Ukraine has said that the Paris Olympics can be boycotted if even one Russian athlete competes.