Ukraine's Minister of Youth and Sports Matviy Bidnyy has accused Russia of employing pressure, bribery, and blackmail to secure favorable decisions on the international stage. His statement came in response to the International Olympic Committee's decision to allow young Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete under their national flags.
Bidnyy addressed the issue on social media, according to his posts. "I want to say that nothing has happened that does not fit into the general context of events around Ukraine in the world. Russia uses all means of influence, including pressure, bribery and blackmail, to achieve the decisions it needs," he wrote.
The minister said Ukraine must rely solely on itself. "What should we do? Be true to ourselves, understanding that we can only count on ourselves. No one will fight for us except ourselves, there is no point in waiting for sympathy," Bidnyy stated.
He emphasized that only "persistent work on ourselves" would provide Ukraine with the foundation for its own soft power—the ability to influence international decisions that align with Ukrainian interests.
The statement followed the Olympic Summit in Lausanne, chaired by IOC President Kirsty Coventry, where the committee issued recommendations to lift restrictions on young Russian and Belarusian athletes. The IOC determined that youth athletes with Russian or Belarusian passports should no longer face limitations in accessing international competitions—both in individual and team sports.
The committee also recommended applying standard protocols regarding flags, anthems, uniforms, and other elements, provided the relevant national sports organization maintains "good standing."
However, implementation of these recommendations depends on the rules of each international federation. Summit participants committed to reviewing the recommendations within their respective organizations.
The IOC did not modify competition rules for adult athletes. The committee explained that these would be reviewed "as necessary.
