Cancel sports events currently planned in Russia or Belarus: International Olympic Committee

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has requested all international sports federations to cancel their upcoming events in Russia or Belarus. The IOC has said that Russia has violated the Olympic Truce which was decided by the member countries beginning seven days before the start of the Olympic Games in Beijing on February 4 and ending seven days after the closing of the Paralympic Games on March 13.

The IOC has expressed its anguish on this and released a statement in which it asked all international sports federations to relocate or cancel their sports events currently planned in Russia or Belarus.

A statement released by IOC said, “The IOC EB (executive board) today urges all international sports federations to relocate or cancel their sports events currently planned in Russia or Belarus. They should take the breach of the Olympic Truce by the Russian and Belarussian governments into account and give the safety and security of the athletes absolute priority."

The statement further said, “In addition, the IOC EB urges that no Russian or Belarussian national flag be displayed and no Russian or Belarussian anthem be played in international sports events which are not already part of the respective World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) sanctions for Russia."

Besides the IOC ED has also said that it expresses its deep concerns about the safety of the members of the Olympic Community in Ukraine and stands in full solidarity.

"It notes that the special IOC task force is in contact with the Olympic Community in the country to coordinate humanitarian assistance where possible,” it added.