Group of European allies urge Russian sport ban

Gutzeit, elected as NOC of Ukraine President in November, met with fellow Sports Ministers from Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Czech Republic, and Slovakia on the first anniversary of Russia's widely-condemned invasion of Ukraine, Inside the Games reports.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) recommended the exclusion of Russian and Belarusian athletes from international competitions in the aftermath of the escalation of the war but has been exploring a pathway for their return under "strict conditions" of neutrality with the Paris 2024 Olympics in less than 18 months.

Its proposals sparked a furious reaction in Ukraine, and 30 nations, including the six who joined Gutzeit in Poland's capital, have expressed concern over the plans in their current guise and called for greater clarity on the IOC's definition of neutrality.

The Czech Republic, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, and Slovakia issued a joint declaration in which they insisted Russia and Belarus should not be permitted to return to international sport.

"Keeping in mind the ongoing debate on the international forum regarding sanctions against Russia and Belarus in the area of sport, we, as representatives of the neighbouring countries, are particularly obliged to uphold the position that Russia and Belarus must not be allowed to participate in international sports competitions in any form," they said.

"Because of our historical experience, we are deeply convinced that relaxing the ban applied one year ago would be the wrong signal that might be used by Russia’s regime and its propaganda to legitimise its crimes.

"Now, more than ever, the Ukrainian sporting community deserves continued, united support."

Gutzeit said afterwards that participants at the meeting had "identified common steps that we plan to take" to maintain Russia and Belarus' exclusion from international sport.