26 Dec 2017 21:57

CIS leaders consider IOC's attitude to Russian athletes unacceptable - Lukashenko

NOVO-OGARYOVO. Dec 26 (Interfax) - The heads of CIS countries consider the attitude towards Russian athletes in light of the decision on participation in the Olympic Game in South Korea unacceptable and sanctions should be imposed on those guilty of the doping use, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said.

On December 5, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) temporary suspended the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC), athletes 'clean' from doping, who would be authorized for participation by a special commission, can compete only as 'Olympic athletes from Russia' (OAR) under the Olympic flag. The Russian national anthem will not be played.

"Vladimir Vladimirovich, we are concerned about many issues, which you endure. For instance, the issue, to which the Russian society responded very acutely, the issue of the upcoming Olympic Games in South Korea. You know our stance, and heads of state present here agree with us. We strongly reject such an attitude towards Russian athletes, the Russian Federation," Lukashenko said during an informal meeting of the leaders of the CIS countries.

"We fully support you in relation to the inadmissibility of such things in terms of doping, but measures should be taken against those who use it. And if they weren't caught red-handed, they are innocent until proven guilty, then it's no use in shouting to the whole world and use such sanctions," he said.