Athletes from Belarus competing at this year’s Olympic Games in Paris should be ruthless and tough. That’s according to Alexander Lukashenko, the authoritarian leader of a country that is Russia’s ally in its aggression against neighboring Ukraine.
“Anger in sports is important,” Lukashenko said. “If you have already qualified and you are going there in a neutral position, punch them in the face. Show them that you are real Belarusians,” he urged the athletes, without clarifying whether he meant his comments in the spirit of a sporting metaphor or literally.
Russia and its ally Belarus are under IOC sanctions due to aggression in Ukraine. The Olympic Games in Paris will not participate in the expedition of these countries, they will not be represented in collective sports. Neutral athletes from Russia and Belarus will not participate in the opening ceremony and will not be included in the medal ranking of countries.
Individuals from these countries will be able to compete as neutrals subject to IOC conditions. They must not be connected to the military and security forces, must not support Russian aggression against Ukraine and must meet the conditions of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). It will be judged by a three-member IOC commission.
Asked whether Belarusian athletes should participate in the Olympics, Lukashenko said it was the athletes’ choice, Belarusian state news agency Belta reported.
The Belarusian dictator added that if the Belarusians emerge victorious from the Olympic Games, it will be a good tool for the international scene as well. “Then we can hit them in the face politically as well,” he said.
According to estimates, about thirty Russian and twenty Belarusian competitors will qualify for this summer’s Olympic Games.
Tags: Hit face Lukashenko instructed athletes behave Olympics
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