Russian athletes were banned from participating in international competitions shortly after Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022.
More than four years later, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) decided to temporarily lift sanctions on the Russian Olympic Committee, allowing athletes from this country to compete for qualification to the Olympic Games.
The IOC was followed by various sports federations, including the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB), among others.
A. Čeferin recently appeared on the podcast “The Rest is Politics,” where he spoke about the participation of Russian teams and national squads in international competitions organized by UEFA.
In his opinion, the ongoing war in Ukraine undoubtedly hinders Russians from returning to the arenas.
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However, the UEFA chief lamented that Russian athletes cannot participate in international competitions. “In a way, it is sad that Russian athletes have not been able to play for four years, but there is simply no other solution now,” admitted A. Čeferin.
According to the Slovenian, many Russian athletes oppose the ongoing war in Ukraine and suffer because of it. He gave an example – athletes under 18 years old who do not have the right to vote.
“17-year-old Russian girls and boys do not even vote. What is their fault that that man started this terrible war, and these 17-year-olds cannot participate in youth competitions?” he asked on the show.
Despite the IOC significantly softening its stance, FIFA and UEFA continue to impose indefinite sanctions on Russia. The Slovenian said that both organizations face political pressure to allow Russian athletes to participate in competitions again.
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“Not at this time. And it will be so until the end of this war,” said A. Čeferin.
