One of the MEPs representing this area, Fine Gael’s Colm Markey, has called for Russia and Belarus to be banned from the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
The Midland-North-West MEP is among 83 members of the European Parliament who have signed a letter to the European Council President Charles Michel and the President of the International Olympic Committee Thomas Bach, demanding the exclusion of the two countries.
Markey said a terrorist state should have no involvement in the Olympic Games.
“We need to send a clear message to Russia and Belarus that the international community is united in opposition to this brutal war” he said.
“The IOC has indicated that athletes from these countries could take part as neutral participants. This would be a hugely detrimental move and likely lead to a large-scale boycott of the games.
“We must show Ukraine that we continue to stand in solidarity with them and against the murderous regime, which is attempting to destroy their country.
“This isn’t about targeting ordinary Russian civilians. If anything, Russians need to know that the actions of their dictator leader have consequences.”
“The goal of the Olympic Movement is to contribute to building a peaceful and better world. There is nothing peaceful about the rape and murder of Ukrainian civilians and the destruction of their cities.
“The IOC has a moral obligation to take a tough stance. There is a precedent for banning countries from the Olympics such as the exclusion of South Africa from the games in 1964 because of apartheid”, Markey added.
“A summit organised by the UK next Friday is an opportunity to be on the right side of history. Let’s not repeat the mistake of the 1936 games which saw Hitler using the occasion as an opportunity to promote racial supremacy and antisemitism.”, he concluded.
