Svetlana Zhurova
The International Olympic Committee with its statements reaffirms political neutrality and impartiality. So, in an interview with Lenta.ru, Olympic champion in speed skating and Russian State Duma deputy Svetlana Zhurova appreciated the IOC's comment on the US decision to declare a diplomatic boycott of the 2022 Olympic Games in Beijing.
Earlier, the IOC commented on the White House's statement on the refusal of the American leadership to attend the Beijing Olympics. Representatives of the organization clarified that they respect Washington's decision. The IOC explained that the presence or absence of government officials and diplomats at the Games is a private matter for each country. In the matter of the diplomatic boycott of the Olympics, the IOC decided to maintain political neutrality.
US decision should not bother the IOC
With its statements, the IOC proves its political neutrality and impartiality, Zhurova said. By and large, the organization is not interested in who, where and why will go, if we are not talking about athletes, the politician added.
“In general, frankly speaking, it is not within their authority to be interested in what countries' leaders will come to the Olympic Games. This usually worries the host country. It is interesting for them, it is important for them. This is a kind of confession. The IOC does not care at all. Politics does not concern them, it would be important for them if the athletes announced the boycott. This would be their area of responsibility. They do not need such scandals at all. If the United States represents its entire team, the IOC will be grateful for that, because without the United States, the Olympic Games will be incomplete. I am sure that the IOC is much more interested in this than [that] whether the US President will come to the Olympic Games in Beijing or not, ”Zhurova shared her opinion.
In her opinion, the US decision contains a “call for a demonstration.” “They called on the allies to boycott the Olympic Games and will now see who their ally is. That's how it looks to me, at least. There is a subtext in this, ”the politician summed up.
The refusal of American politicians to go to the Olympics on Monday, December 6, said the press secretary of the US President Jen Psaki. At the same time, American athletes will be able to decide on participation in international competitions on their own. Psaki clarified that members of the US national team can be confident in the full support of the authorities. A White House spokeswoman assured that Washington did not discuss its decision with the allies and gives them the opportunity to decide for themselves whether to participate or not to participate in events in China.
