Hryhoriy Surkis: "Russian athletes have no place in the civilized world"

Secretary of the Committee of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on Youth and Sports Hryhoriy Surkis responded to the IOC's efforts to return Russian and Belarusian "athletes" to the competition.

During the discussion of the initiative of the members of the Committee on Youth and Sports regarding the Appeal of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine to the parliaments of the countries of the world, the International Olympic Committee, national Olympic committees and international sports federations regarding the isolation of athletes from Russia and Belarus, the Secretary of the Committee Hryhoriy Surkis expressed indignation at the reason for the statement of the IOC Executive Committee.

Surkis reminded the participants of the meeting that only a little more than a year has passed since the President of the International Olympic Committee Thomas Bach stood on the main stage of the country - on the stage of the National Palace "Ukraine" in the very center of Kyiv, which was damaged during the recent rocket attack from the side Russia

"Then the entire Olympic sports family of Ukraine sincerely congratulated Thomas Bach, and the President of Ukraine awarded him with the Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise IV degree - "for a significant personal contribution to the development of the Olympic movement, the affirmation of humanistic ideals and values ​​of Olympism...". At that time, everyone believed that in the person of Bach they found a true friend of Ukraine, a reliable team partner who would help on the way to victory, and not "put his foot down" at the crucial moment.

But it seems that both President Bach and the members of the Executive Committee of the IOC have forgotten both the values ​​of Olympism and humanistic ideals. Is the propaganda of violence, torture, rape, shelling and murder, which Russian sports gladly supports, new ideals?! For Russia, sport does not exist outside of politics - it is its extension. Russian athletes are just a cog in one big Kremlin propaganda machine.

With the beginning of a full-scale war against Ukraine, the doors of world sports closed in the face of Russia. And they should remain closed. After all, sport is an age-old heritage of the civilized world, of which Russia has ceased to be a part.

Not to feel the sweet taste of victory on high international podiums, but to taste all the joys of exile and isolation together with your terrorist country - that's what Russian athletes really deserve. And in general, why do they need international sports, the Olympics, the Western world, which they constantly curse so sincerely?!

There can be no question of neutrality as long as the enemy continues the war, the purpose of which is the genocide of the Ukrainian people. Any neutral flag and uniform is soaked in the blood of dead Ukrainians from Kharkiv and Chernihiv... Irpen and Buchi... Mariupol and Kherson... my native Odesa..." Hryhoriy Surkis noted.

The Secretary of the Committee, the Honorary Member of UEFA, expressed his concern about the conduct of friendly matches by Russian football clubs with foreign teams during the winter meetings in Turkey.

"And although these "friendly" matches have only an unofficial status, they are an example of a shameful and unacceptable violation of the regime of isolation of the aggressor country, because they directly contradict the decisions of FIFA and UEFA," the Committee of the Secretary emphasized.

Recently, the enemy has been actively trying to regain the right to participate in international sports competitions. Thus, recently it became known about the meeting of the "Russian Football Union" with UEFA representatives, where the issue of the possible return of Russian national teams and clubs to international tournaments was discussed.

"Ukrainian clubs decided not to play matches with teams that played with Russian clubs. However, an immediate and decisive response from international sports organizations is needed. I am convinced that, for our part, we, as representatives of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, must defend the position of complete and unconditional isolation of the aggressor," added People's Deputy of Ukraine Surkis.

As is known, after the full-scale military invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the International Football Federation (FIFA) and the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) deprived Russia of the right to hold international competitions on its territory and access to competitions in Europe and the world. Organizations have completely excluded Russian teams from tournaments under their auspices. Thus, neither national teams nor clubs of Russia can participate in international starts.

Hryhoriy Surkis expressed concern about the permission of the Olympic Council of Asia to participate in the competition for Russians and Belarusians.

"Now we see how, step by step, Russian propaganda and the "Russian measure" are trying to seep outside, into international competitions. The very appearance of Russian athletes at the highest-level sports competitions is a "bell" for the international community, which demonstrates the world's gradual acceptance of Russian aggression in Ukraine.

We can't let that happen! That is why I am categorically against such initiatives and fully support the Address of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine to the parliaments of the countries of the world, the International Olympic Committee, national Olympic committees and international sports federations.

I am convinced that, for our part, we, as representatives of the Ukrainian Parliament, must defend the position of complete and unconditional isolation of the aggressor," Hryhoriy Surkis, secretary of the Committee on Youth and Sports, emphasized.