Wladimir Klitschko joined the Ukrainian Military in 2022 when Russia launched its invasion in February, and now he is part of the battle to dam those that supported Vladimir Putin from taking part within the Olympics.
Klitschko, who gained a gold medal in boxing on the 1996 Olympics, posted a video message Monday addressed to Worldwide Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach calling on him to ban Russian and Belarusian athletes from the 2024 Video games as a result of ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
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Ukrainian former boxing world heavyweight championship Wladimir Klitschko speaks earlier than receiving the M100 Media Award for the Ukrainian folks at a Ceremony, a part of the M100 Media Convention for democracy and press freedom, in Potsdam, southwest of Berlin, on Sept. 15, 2022.
(BERND VON JUTRCZENKA/POOL/AFP by way of Getty Pictures)
“You’re the consultant of the common values of tolerance and peace,” Klitschko mentioned. “You plan to reauthorize Russian and Belarusian athletes to take part within the Paris video games. I inform you at this time: The Russians are Olympic champions in crimes towards civilians. They’ve the gold medal in deportation of youngsters and rape of girls. You can’t put your Olympic emblem on these crimes as a result of you may be an confederate with this abominable conflict.
“Don’t do that, in any other case you’ll betray the Olympic spirit. A rustic that tramples on the essential precept of worldwide legislation can’t be legitimized and supported by the worldwide physique of sport. Don’t make this monumental mistake. The world is watching you. Historical past will choose you. Good luck along with your resolution.”
AMERICANS ARE GETTING MORE SKEPTICAL OF BIDEN’S MASSIVE AID PACKAGES FOR UKRAINE: POLL
Worldwide Olympic Committee, IOC, President Thomas Bach attends the opening of the Government Board assembly on the Olympic Home in Lausanne, Switzerland, Dec. 5, 2022.
(Denis Balibouse/Keystone by way of AP, Pool)
The IOC set out its most well-liked path final week for Russians and Olympians who haven’t overtly supported the conflict to qualify for Paris and compete in 18 months’ time as impartial athletes with no flag or anthem. Ukraine warned it will boycott Paris.
Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelenskyy invited Bach to war-torn Bakhmut final week.
On Monday, the IOC mentioned it “rejects within the strongest potential phrases this and different defamatory statements.”
Former heavyweight boxing world champion Wladimir Klitschko leaves after a gathering with German Financial system and Local weather Minister Robert Habeck in Berlin, March 31, 2022.
( AP Photograph/Markus Schreiber, file)
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The IOC has additionally pointed to human rights issues on the United Nations that athletes should not face discrimination primarily based on their passports.
The Related Press contributed to this report.
