I recall Lukashenko’s crackdown after the 2020 protests—how can the IOC just wave that away? The athletes themselves might be innocent, but this decision sends a terrible message.
Finally, politics out of sport. Belarusian athletes shouldn’t suffer for their government’s actions. Let them compete under their flag and focus on the game.
If the Belarusian Olympic Committee has really implemented the governance changes, then this is fair. But I hope the IOC will be transparent about the evidence.
Neutral athletes is one thing, but lifting the ban entirely feels like the IOC is turning a blind eye to the regime’s role in suppressing dissent.
I recall Lukashenko’s crackdown after the 2020 protests—how can the IOC just wave that away? The athletes themselves might be innocent, but this decision sends a terrible message.
Finally, politics out of sport. Belarusian athletes shouldn’t suffer for their government’s actions. Let them compete under their flag and focus on the game.
The IOC says they’ll monitor closely, but what does that even mean? We saw how ‘monitoring’ worked for Russia—empty promises while abuses continued.
Good for athletes like Krystsina Tsimanouskaya who spoke out, but lifting sanctions now undermines the very reforms the IOC demanded after Tokyo.
If the Belarusian Olympic Committee has really implemented the governance changes, then this is fair. But I hope the IOC will be transparent about the evidence.