The IOC bans Russian Taekwondo athletes from Paris 2024: A victory against support for Russian aggression
WE’RE MAKING PROGRESS!
On Saturday, June 15, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced the ban of all Russian taekwondo athletes from the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
This essential measure, due to the support these athletes have shown for Russia’s aggression in Ukraine, was achieved through the tireless work and pressure exerted by Ukrainian authorities, the NOC of Ukraine, the Ukrainian Ministry of Sports, the Ukrainian Embassy in France, Stand With Ukraine, and many organizations supporting Ukraine.
Among the athletes affected are Maxime Khramtsov, Tatiana Minina, Polina Khan, Vladislav Larine, and Georgii Gurtsiev, all excluded due to their direct ties with the Russian military and their active support for the war in Ukraine.
❌ Maxime Khramtsov, a gold medalist in taekwondo, was banned from the Olympics for repeatedly expressing his support for Vladimir Putin and the invasion of Ukraine on social media. Khramtsov, also a member of the Russian army, violated the IOC’s strict rules on athlete neutrality.
❌ Tatiana Minina, another prominent Russian taekwondo athlete, was also excluded for similar reasons. A member of the Russian army, she uses her social media to promote the war in Ukraine and support Russian propaganda.
❌ Polina Khan, a member of the Russian army, was banned from participating in the Games for supporting the invasion of Ukraine.
❌ Vladislav Larine actively participated in a propaganda video supporting the Russian military and the invasion of Ukraine.
Although this decision marks a significant step forward, several Russian athletes who are qualified and retained for Paris 2024 by the IOC continue to support Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine.
We therefore call on the IOC to fully enforce the criteria it has set and ban ALL Russian and Belarusian athletes who support the Russian aggression.
As long as Russian bombs continue to fall on Ukraine, Russian and Belarusian athletes have no place at the Paris Olympic Games.
We will not let Russia turn #Paris2024 into “blood games.”
#BloodGames2024
