‘If We Give Into This, Then We Are Lost’- IOC’s President Hits Back at Wimbledon’s Decision to Ban Russian and Belarusian Tennis Stars

The Organizers of the Wimbledon championship around a month ago declared a ban on Russian and Belarusian players for this season. They justified their action by calling it a consequence of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. However, a major chunk of the tennis fraternity denounced their decisions.

Even so, Wimbledon stayed firm on its decision and gave a clarification, that opened channels for debates and counteractions. Earlier ATP raised its voice and took action against Wimbledon. And now the IOC is doing the same.

IOC’s president criticizes the Wimbledon ban

Recently, the International Olympic Committee joined ATP in disagreement. Thomas Bach, the president of IOC, grilled the British government and Wimbledon for dragging sports into politics.

He said, “Look at our friends from tennis in Paris, Russian [and Belarusian] players can play as neutral athletes. In London, at Wimbledon, the [UK] government is saying no way. And if we (sporting federations) allow this, if we give into this, then we are lost.”

Thereafter, Bach added, “How then can you guarantee in your sport a fair international competition, if the governments are deciding according to their own political interests, who can take part in a competition and who cannot take part? If you open this gate, today, it is Russia and Belarus. Tomorrow it is your country.”

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Further, ATP, WTA, and ITF have stripped the Wimbledon championship of its ranking point for the 2022 season. As a result of which players such as the four-times Grand Slam champion and former World No.1, Naomi Osaka seem to have lost interest in the grass-based Grand Slam.

How have the entities and fans reacted?

Along with fans, many famous tennis entities such as the 22 times Grand Slam winner Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray have condemned the ban. While on the other hand, individuals from Ukraine have shown support for the ban.

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Further, a lot of players from Russia and Belarus have condemned the conflict and demanded peace.