The decision was met with strong reactions by numerous athletes, officials, journalists, experts and fans around the World - Poland included.
So far, Poland has been one of the leading voices opposing such a scenario. Earlier this year the country's Sports & Tourism Minister, Karol Bortniczuk, said that although boycotting the games is not the immediate step Poland will take - it might be considered if the IOC can't be reasoned with.
Talking to Interia.pl on Friday, Polish four-time Olympic racewalking champion, Robert Korzeniowski, presented a different attitude. "We have to accept the conditions as they are and not think about any boycotts. We have to accept the decision of the IOC - of course without actively supporting the participation of the Russians" - he said.
Olympic participation will be possible for Russian and Belarussian athletes under numerous conditions. They will not be able to represent their countries, but start as "neutrals" instead - without national flag, national colours or anthem. They will also be obliged to sign a document in which they distance themselves from Vladimir Putin's war policy. IOC's consent does not apply to team sports too.
President of the Polish Wrestling Association, Andrzej Supron, who won a silver medal at the 1980 Games, pointed out that Russian and Belarussian medalists "will be feted as heroes, who won despite being discriminated against by the international sports community" - speaking for Poland's PAP press agency on Friday. "Their compatriots will feel sorry for them because they could not present national symbols and could not listen to the national anthem" - he continued.
The XXXIII Summer Olympic Games will be held in Paris, France from July 26 to August 11, 2024.
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Source: Interia.pl, SportoweFakty.wp.pl, Onet.pl, Nowiny24.pl