[New post] ‘History will judge you’ – Wladimir Klitschko sends warning to IOC president Thomas Bach about allowing Russian athletes at the 2024 Olympics, saying ‘you will be an accomplice of this abominable war’
Connor Andrews posted: " Wladimir Klitschko has warned IOC president Thomas Bach 'history will judge you' if Russian athletes are allowed to compete at the Paris Olympics. The former world heavyweight champion and one of the greatest boxers of all time sent a stern wa" talkSPORT
Wladimir Klitschko has warned IOC president Thomas Bach 'history will judge you' if Russian athletes are allowed to compete at the Paris Olympics.
The former world heavyweight champion and one of the greatest boxers of all time sent a stern warning to the Olympic committee president about being 'an accomplice of this abominable war'.
Klitschko sent the message amid the backdrop of crumbling buildingsThe IOC's decision has been met with resistence
The address came after the IOC opened up a pathway for Russian and Belarussian athletes to compete at the 2024 games, despite the country's invasion of Ukraine.
The organisation has proposed that athletes may be able to take part under a neutral flag, without anthems, under the condition they have never publicly supported the war in Ukraine.
The statement also stressed that athletes would have to fully-comply with the World Anti-Doping Code, after the organisation found Russia guilty of state-sponsored doping.
Addressing the latest news with the backdrop of crumbling buildings, Ukrainian sporting great and Olympic gold medallist Klitschko, whose brother Vitali is the mayor of Kyiv, addressed Bach directly.
"Dear Thomas Bach, you are the president of the IOC, you are the representative of the universal values of tolerance and peace," he began.
"You propose to reauthorise Russian and Belarusian athletes to participate in the Paris Games.
The Ukrainian sent a strong message
"I tell you: the Russians are Olympic champions in crimes against civilians.
"They have the gold medal in deportation of children and rape of women.
"You cannot put your Olympic emblem on these crimes because you will be an accomplice of this abominable war.
"Do not do this, otherwise you will betray the Olympic spirit. A country that tramples on the basic principles of international law cannot be legitimised and supported by the international body of sport.
"Do not make this mistake, this monumental mistake.
Russian athletes already had to compete under neutral colours due to doping offences
"The world is watching you. History will judge you. Good luck with your decision."
Last week, Ukrainian president Volodomyr Zelenskyy invited Bach to visit Ukraine, while other officials suggested the country could boycott the games.
Responding to Klitschko's statement, the IOC said it 'rejects in the strongest possible terms this and other defamatory statements', adding: "They cannot serve as a basis for any constructive discussion."
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