ANOC Executive Council statement

The ANOC Executive Council endorsed the Open letter to the IOC Executive Board from the Presidents of the five NOC Continental Associations of 30 March 2023, reaffirmed its support of the position adopted by the IOC Executive Board and will continue to work in the interest of the unity of the Olympic Movement and the athletes.

In this context, the ANOC Executive Council also expressed its alarm relating to recent government boycott threats and statements to limit the access of athletes in international sports competitions in which Individual Neutral Athletes with a Russian or Belarusian passport may compete. Any government calls for boycotts represent a direct interference in the autonomy of sport and constitute a clear politization of sport. These will only contribute to the isolation of NOCs from the global sporting community and will directly affect the dreams and aspirations of athletes.

With over 70 wars, armed conflicts or crisis active in the world at the moment, the ANOC Executive Council recalled that the NOCs impacted by these conflicts and crises nonetheless respect the Olympic values and allow their athletes to participate in competition without restrictions.