Olympics ‘can open door to dialogue and peace-building’, says IOC

The IOC says the Olympics can 'set an example' to the world on unity and building bridges as it continues to explore the possibility of Russian athletes competing in Paris

EXAMPLE: IOC president Thomas Bach says athletes must not be discriminated against because of the passport they hold. Pic: Andrew Milligan/PA

The International Olympic Committee says the Olympic Games can “set an example” to the world on unity and building bridges as it continues to explore the possibility of Russian athletes competing in Paris next year.

The IOC has faced heavy criticism in some quarters for examining ways that athletes from Russia and Belarus could participate in the Games as neutrals amid the ongoing invasion of Ukraine.