STATEMENT: WAR IN UKRAINE- ONE YEAR ON

Abstract

This article contains the contents of the letter sent by the President of the International Olympic Committee Thomas Bach in February from Lausanne (Switzerland) to the entire Olympic Community.

In it, he recalls that February 24, 2023 marks one year since the invasion of Ukraine by Russia with the support of Belarus, causing a year of brutal war, human suffering, death and destruction. It reiterates the Olympic Movement's solidarity with the Ukrainian people and insists on the call for peace.

The IOC reiterates its condemnation of the war in Ukraine, which is a flagrant violation of the Olympic Truce, in force when the conflict began, and the Olympic Charter. The unprecedented sanctions imposed by the IOC on the governments and states of Russia and Belarus remain in place, which mean that international sports competitions will not be organized in Russia and Belarus, nor can their flags, anthems or other national symbols be flown, as well as that government or state officials will not be accredited in international sports competitions.

Reaffirming its unwavering solidarity with Ukrainian athletes, the Olympic Movement remains steadfast in its commitment to help Ukrainian athletes in any way it can.

He reflects that while the Olympic Games cannot prevent war or conflict, nor respond to all the political and social challenges of our world can be an example where everyone follows the same rules and respects each other. They can inspire us to solve problems by building bridges that result in better understanding between peoples. They can open the door to dialogue and peace-building.