Abstract

In 2022, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The attack was facilitated by Belarus, the territory that was used as a launchpad for Russia’s assault from the North on Ukraine’s capital Kyiv. In response to the invasion, some international sports federations decided to exclude athletes from these two countries, while others continued to regard them eligible. In early 2023, International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach spoke out in favor of including Russian and Belarussian athletes in the Olympic Games under a neutral flag. He later explained his position as a defense of the Olympic principles as formulated in the Olympic charter. In this article, we examine if Bach’s position is justifiable, based on the Olympic charter. Our analysis leads us to the conclusion that it is not. Although we concede that individual athletes should not be held responsible for the unlawful acts of their country, we find that because of the way Russia conducts the war and exploits their athletes in its war propaganda, the principles outlined in the Olympic charter nevertheless justifies the exclusion of Russian athletes from the Paris Olympics. However, the exclusion of Belarusian athletes cannot be justified by the same principles as Belarus was not responsible for the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, does not actively take part in the war, and has not been at war with anyone since it reclaimed sovereignty after the breakup of the Soviet Union.