IOC rejects requests to exclude United States from Winter Olympics over Venezuela strike

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has responded to calls to exclude the United States and its athletes from the upcoming Winter Olympic Games over the country’s recent military intervention in Venezuela.

The committee ruled out any sanctions against the United States after the intervention.

“As a global organization, the IOC has to manage a complex reality. The IOC has to deal with the current political context and the latest events in the world,” the IOC said in a statement to the BBC.

“The ability to unite athletes, no matter where they come from, is fundamental to the future of a truly global and values-based sport, which can give hope to the world.

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“For this reason, the IOC cannot get directly involved in political affairs or conflicts between countries, as they are outside our powers. This is the realm of politics.”

Russian athletes have been banned from competing in the Olympics since the country invaded Ukraine in 2022. Russia invaded Ukraine just four days after the closing ceremony of the Beijing Winter Olympics in February of that year, in violation of the Olympic Truce clause of the IOC statutes. Russia also placed Ukrainian athletes under the control of the Russian Olympic Committee.

The US attack on Venezuela did not violate such a charter and has been praised by many in the international community due to the capture of dictator Nicolás Maduro and the overthrow of his regime.

The effort came after months of pressure on Venezuela like Trump The administration carried out more than 20 strikes in Latin American waters against suspected drug traffickers as part of Trump’s broader initiative to curb the entry of drugs into the United States.

UN URGES COUNTRIES TO RESPECT THE TRUCE DURING THE WINTER OLYMPICS AND NOT TO DENY VISAS TO ATHLETES FROM ANY NATION

The IOC faced similar calls to exclude Israel from the Olympics over the Gaza war, but those requests were also rejected when the committee declared that the country’s national Olympic committee had complied with the Olympic Charter.

However, Indonesia may face a sanction for violating the Olympic Charter, even if it does not result in the exclusion of the country’s athletes from the competition.

The IOC previously condemned the country for denying visas to Israeli athletes and declared it a violation of the international charter. All talk of Indonesia hosting a future Olympic Games ended and the IOC notified world organizers. do not schedule any important events in the country.

The Indonesian government cited security concerns for its decision to deny visas to the Israel team, warning of potential threats within its country to the safety of Israeli athletes and risking the safety of others.

However, the Israeli team claimed the right for their own country. The security detail determined the country. it was safe to enter and he authorized his athletes to travel there.

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“We received clearance from the Israeli security authorities to participate in the World Championships subject to the necessary security protocols in place. For our part, all preparations were complete: registration process, entry visas to Indonesia and confirmation from the Israeli security authorities,” the Israel Gymnastics Federation previously told News Digital.

Indonesia was previously stripped of its right to host. the under-20 world cup when the governor of Bali refused to host the Israeli team at a match.

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