Russian Union of Athletes calls IOC recommendation on Russian, Belarusian athletes devastating for Olympic movement

MOSCOW. March 3 (Interfax) - The Russian Union of Athletes has condemned the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) recommendation to ban Russian and Belarusian athletes from taking part in international competitions due to the situation in Ukraine, the press service for the Russian Olympic Committee said on Wednesday.

"We are categorically opposed to the sport genocide of Russian and Belarusian athletes. We appeal to all authorized figures and organizations and figures and organizations concerned: reconsider your latest decisions! From a historical standpoint, they are devastating for the Olympic movement and make it absolutely clear that none of the athletes can be certain that their rights are protected and, even less, guaranteed," it said.

"If today we are unable to preserve unity and mutual understanding, we will encounter the most negative consequences of this confrontation in the very near future," it said.