IOC favors open approach in regard to Russia and Belarus sanctions: no definitive timeline for strengthening or lifting of sanctions

Speaking to reporters, International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach clarified his organization’s approach to dealing with Russia, and by extension Belarus. He claimed there was no definitive timeline for removing the sanctions placed on the two nations, even in the event of a ceasefire or other peace deal.

Bach expounded, “We have left this open... it was very difficult either to set a deadline or to define an event, what could either lead to heavier sanctions or what could lead to a lifting of some of the sanctions. This is why you find in general terms the formula that we are keeping to closely monitor the situation and will adapt depending on the further developments.”

The IOC, as well as the greater international sports community, have been put in a uniquely difficult situation after Russia went forward with its invasion of Ukraine. The event has forced the international sports sphere to take action against Russia and Belarus, and has clearly taken a personal toll on Bach.

He stated, “sometimes you wish you could do more and this was the wish I expressed in the closing ceremony...then you see that all the efforts were for nothing, that this inspiration was not was not strong enough and then it’s horrifying. It’s really horrifying.”

Bach also stated that he had not been in communication with Russian President Vladimir Putin since the onset of the invasion, while also claiming that he had not been on speaking terms with the Russian leader “for a number of years“ according to Reuters. Bach and the IOC have used their platform repeatedly to issue a call for world leaders to “give peace a chance,” but that seems to have landed on clasped ears for the time being.