Ukraine condemns IOC recommendations on Russian, Belarusian athletes

FILE PHOTO: International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach attends the opening of the Executive Board meeting at the Olympic House in Lausanne, Switzerland, March 28, 2023. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse

KYIV (Reuters) -Ukraine's sports ministry condemned on Wednesday what it said was a partial change of position by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on allowing Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete in international competitions as neutrals.

The IOC issued recommendations on Tuesday for the athletes' gradual return to world sport, with President Thomas Bach saying their participation "works" despite Russia's war in Ukraine.