IOC Clears Belarus Athletes to Return; Elina Svitolina Voices Disappointment

Elina Svitolina slams IOC over Belarus athletes’ return to competition

The Ukrainian player says it’s ‘painful’ to see Belarus compete under its flag again, calling both Belarus and Russia aggressors as the war in Ukraine rages on.

Svitolina reacts to IOC say “rockets are still going to Ukraine.” The former world No. 3 says the IOC’s decision to allow Belarusian athletes back is hard to process, as she continues boycotting handshakes with Russian and Belarusian opponents...

Ukrainian tennis player Elina Svitolina said it was difficult to watch the International Olympic Committee open the door for Belarusian athletes to compete under their own flag while the war in Ukraine continues.

Since 2022, the IOC had advised that athletes from Russia and Belarus be excluded from competitions after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Belarus has served as a launch point for that invasion.

Last week, the IOC stated it was no longer advising that Belarusian athletes and teams face restrictions when competing in events run by international federations and other sports organizers.

Svitolina, who has kept up her practice of not shaking hands with Russian and Belarusian opponents after matches, said the IOC’s move was hard to accept while the war goes on.

“Rockets are still going to ⁠Ukraine. Those two countries are still considered aggressors,” she told reporters at the Italian Open in Rome on Sunday.

“For us it's very sad and very painful to see this even ‌considered, they're talking about it.

“It's a very heavy topic. I have a lot to say. I think now isn't the best time. I'm definitely not supporting the talks.”

Russian and Belarusian players remain excluded from team events, but they still compete individually on the professional tours as neutral athletes, without flags or national anthems.

The International Tennis Federation stated on Friday that the IOC’s latest announcement does not affect its decision to keep the Belarus and Russian tennis federations suspended.

Belarus’s membership will be reviewed at the ITF’s annual general meeting in October, where voting nations will have the final say.

Belarusian world number one Aryna Sabalenka said last week she ⁠hoped tennis governing ⁠bodies would “give us our ‌flag back.“