Ukraine sports minister Vadym Guttsait has warned the country will consider a boycott of the 2024 Paris Olympics if Russia and Belarus athletes are allowed to take part.
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The International Olympic Committee said on Wednesday it was continuing to work on a pathway which would enable Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete as neutrals, a move which has been criticised by the British Government.
The IOC had advised international sports federations last February - in the days following the start of the invasion of Ukraine - to exclude athletes from their competitions, something IOC president Thomas Bach has since described as a measure to protect those athletes.
The IOC has now called on all athletes to be treated equally, regardless of the passport they hold, and said: "Governments must not decide which athletes can participate in which competition and which athletes cannot."
Guttsait, who is also president of the National Olympic Committee of Ukraine, stressed all efforts must be made to make sure Russia and Belarus are not represented in any way at the showpiece multi-sport event next summer.
"For the whole Ukrainian sports community, this is a question of principle," Guttsait wrote on his Facebook page.
"In this, we are supported by both the President of our state and all society.
"Part of the International Federations are outraged by the IOC's efforts to promote the return of Russians and Belarusians.
"We have addressed and will address all international organisations that can influence the situation and whose opinions the IOC members can listen to."
Guttsait added: "Our position is unchanged: as long as there is a war in Ukraine, Russian and Belarusian athletes should not be in international competitions.
"Certainly, our national sporting federations need to strengthen communication with international federations to keep the ban in effect.
"Work is currently underway on further possible steps and first steps to continue sanctions and prevent Russians and Belarusians from international competitions.
"If we are not heard, I do not rule out the possibility that we will boycott and refuse participation in the Olympics."
World Athletics - the international federation governing arguably the Olympics' single highest-profile sport - says its Council will only consider lifting its total ban on Russian and Belarusian athletes related to the Ukraine invasion if it feels able to lift a separate suspension linked to state-sponsored doping in Russia.
Australian Associated Press
