The Secretary General of the Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka, Maxwell da Silva, delivered a speech to the President of the International Olympic Committee, Thomas Bach, in which he did not agree with the sanctions against Russian athletes.

— Dear President, we highly appreciate the comments in your speech regarding unity. Let me say that together we are strong, but apart we fall. The conflict between Russia and Ukraine is a topic that is now being heard and we took note of what you said in your speech. After consultations with other NOCs, of course, a common position emerges that we should act together. But at the same time, we would like to suggest that somehow this be reflected in the Olympic Charter or in the rules, so that this rule is binding.

My good friend Stanislav (Pozdnyakov) is here, I am glad to see him. We must not take away from our athletes the opportunity to compete in international competitions. I see that now the media are writing demands not to allow Russians to compete. It is unacceptable. This should be reflected in the documents, Maxwell said at a meeting of the general assembly of the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC).

Also with the requirement to return Russian athletes to participate in international competitions, the representative of the NOC of Panama, Damaris Young, called on the IOC.

— Thomas Bach, you have already said more than once that it is necessary to support words with actions and that athletes are at the center of the Olympic movement, that one cannot deviate from the principles that you again listed today. Let’s not forget one very important thing: sport is not only about peace, but also about hope. Hope for opportunity, for change, for overcoming difficult social situations, and so on.

My remark concerns only one thing: let’s find a way. I believe that athletes should not be the ones who are punished or who will be responsible for the consequences of the situations we are facing today. I think we must be united, whole, must abide by our principles and never lose this thread when we make decisions,” Yang said at the ANOC General Assembly.

At the end of February, after the start of Russia’s special operation in Ukraine, the IOC executive committee recommended that international federations not allow Russians and Belarusians to compete under their auspices. Many federations followed the recommendations and suspended athletes from the two countries, some allowed them to participate in a neutral status.