Svitolina Saddened by IOC Decision on Belarusian Athletes

Ukrainian tennis star Elina Svitolina expressed deep sadness and pain regarding the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) recent decision to lift restrictions on Belarusian athletes. The IOC announced it no longer recommends banning Belarusian participants from international sports events, allowing them to compete under their own flag despite the ongoing war in Ukraine. Svitolina, speaking at the Italian Open in Rome, emphasized that rockets are still hitting Ukraine and labeled both Russia and Belarus as aggressors. She stated that discussing the return of these athletes is a heavy topic she cannot support at this time. While Russian and Belarusian tennis players have previously competed as neutrals, the International Tennis Federation maintained its suspension of the respective national federations, though Belarus's status will be reviewed in October. In contrast, Belarusian world number one Aryna Sabalenka welcomed the potential return of national symbols. The decision highlights the continuing tension between global sports governance and geopolitical conflicts, with Ukrainian athletes feeling marginalized by the easing of sanctions against nations involved in the invasion.