In its statement, the committee emphasizes that in the context of global conflicts and tragedies, sport must remain a symbol of hope, uniting nations in peaceful competition. "This is the foundation of the Olympic movement and stems from the principles of Olympism. At every Olympics, the IOC faces the consequences of current global political events; however, its task is to maintain a platform for sporting competitions that can inspire hope in people. This is only possible if the IOC unites athletes, regardless of their nationality," the statement reads.
Some fans expressed dissatisfaction, pointing to possible double standards, considering that restrictions had previously been imposed on Belarusian and Russian athletes.
The situation escalated on February 28, when Israel and the USA struck Iran. Donald Trump announced his intentions to destroy the nuclear program of the Islamic Republic.
In response, Iran began striking military targets of the USA and Israel in the region, including Bahrain, Kuwait, and other Middle Eastern countries.
As a result of the joint attack, the Supreme Leader of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed, and shortly thereafter, his wife, Mansoureh Khojasteh, passed away.
Trump also stated that the military operation in Iran would last about four weeks. Iran, for its part, declared jihad against the USA and Israel, making it clear that there would be no negotiations.
The conflict in the Middle East has global consequences, including for Kyrgyzstan. Currently, thousands of Kyrgyz tourists are stranded in the UAE. Information on emergency contacts for Kyrgyz citizens abroad can be found here.
