Zelenskiy calls for Russia Olympic ban

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STORY: "The International Olympic Committee's attempts to get Russian athletes back to compete and participate in the Olympics is an attempt to tell the world that terror can be viewed as something acceptable," Zelenskiy said in a presidential address on Sunday (January 29).

Last week Ukraine's sports minister Vadim Guttsait said his country would not rule out boycotting the Games if Russian - and Belarusian - athletes took part. They have been banned in some sports while they are allowed to compete under a neutral flag in others.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC), eager to see them back in major competitions, said on Wednesday (January 25) the Olympic Council of Asia had offered Russian and Belarusian athletes the chance to compete in Asia, giving them a qualification pathway for the Paris Olympics.

Last month Zelenskiy told IOC President Thomas Bach he opposed the idea of Russian athletes taking part under any kind of neutral banner in the 2024 Summer Games. The IOC is eager to include Russian and Belarusian athletes as neutrals.