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Minister President Rhein criticizes IOC stance on Russia

The International Olympic Committee does not want the Olympic bobsleigh and luge competitions to be held in Germany because Russians are not supposed to receive visas. The head of Hesse, Boris Rhein, is outraged.

Hesse's Minister President Boris Rhein (CDU) at the General Assembly of the German Olympic Sports....aussiedlerbote.de
Hesse's Minister President Boris Rhein (CDU) at the General Assembly of the German Olympic Sports Confederation. Photo.aussiedlerbote.de

Sports policy - Minister President Rhein criticizes IOC stance on Russia

Hesse's Minister President Boris Rhein has sharply criticized the International Olympic Committee for its stance on the admission of Russian and Belarusian athletes. "I think a statement that anyone who does not welcome athletes from all countries, meaning the Russia of the war criminal Putin, cannot host the Games is absolutely wrong. With all due respect," said the CDU politician on Saturday in Frankfurt in his welcoming address to the General Assembly of the German Olympic Sports Confederation.

This would turn the Olympic idea on its head. "This is about attitude. This attitude must be shown right now. Peace and international understanding is the basis of Olympic peace," he emphasized. "It is completely unacceptable for Ukrainian athletes to face athletes who are attacking their country, their families and the whole of Europe and causing them great suffering. Putting athletes in neutral jerseys doesn't change that."

Rhein was referring to the IOC's negative reaction to Germany's ambitions to take over the 2026 Olympic bobsleigh, luge and skeleton competitions. The IOC is currently taking a critical view of this because Federal Minister of the Interior Nancy Faeser (SPD) wants to refuse entry to athletes from Russia and Belarus due to the war in Ukraine. According to the IOC statement, this means "that countries where such restrictions exist cannot be considered". The IOC had rejected the construction of a new bobsleigh and luge track for the Winter Games hosts Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo due to the high costs involved.

Strategy process for a possible Olympic bid DOSB-Homepage Your Games Daily documents for the General Assembly

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Source: www.stern.de

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