States that disregard international law by conducting unlawful warfare should be suspended from participating in International sport events. Even though LYMEC supports the independence of sport, we must also defend it against the desires of national governments to abuse sport events as an instrument of propaganda.

After that Russian and Belarusian athletes were banned from competitions due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine last year, the IOC (International Olympic Committee) has recently recommended the return of the athletes to international sporting events under neutral flag. Many Russian athletes are strongly affiliated with the Kremlin and the Central Sports Club of the Army.

International sport events such as the Olympic Games can have a considerable impact on a variety of human rights. In LYMEC, we believe that fair and respectful sport competition is not possible without the common values of human dignity, freedom, equality and tolerance.

*The recommendation does not concern the participation of the athletes and their support staff at the Olympic Games Paris 2024 or the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026, which will be decided on separetely.