Vadym Huttsait, Head of the Ukrainian National Olympic Committee, has said that Ukrainian athletes will take part in international competitions where Russian and Belarusian competitors are present under their own national symbols.

Source: Huttsait during the national joint 24/7 newscast

Details: The decision is expected to be approved shortly by the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Ukraine. Huttsait said that a commission will be set up to decide which events Ukrainian athletes will attend and how they should behave.

Quote: "I believe we need to take part in all international competitions. The war has been going on for almost four years and we have already lost a great deal in sport: more than 600 sports facilities have been lost. Our athletes face hardships preparing for international competitions. We see how many children we have lost from youth sports schools and how many children have left the country with their parents.

We have to take part in these competitions. Of course, we stick to the rules we set out earlier: we do not shake hands, we do not stand next to them on the podium and we do not even raise the issue of a joint photo. That is forbidden. All athletes understand this, they are already informed and know how to behave at international competitions."

More details: Ukraine currently has an order from the sports ministry requiring a boycott of international tournaments where representatives of Russia and or Belarus compete under their own flags.

The first version of the order, dated 13 April 2023, barred participation in all tournaments involving Belarusians and Russians, regardless of their status. Later, in July 2023, the ban was eased.

Background: Earlier, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has recommended allowing Russian and Belarusian athletes to take part in international competitions at the youth level. A number of international federations have already followed these recommendations.

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