IOC president Thomas Bach says governments opposing his bid to allow Russians to compete are ‘disadvantaged’

Olympics president Thomas Bach has called governments opposing his bid to allow Russians to compete “unfortunate” – meanwhile a gold medalist from the country said she was “proud” to support Vladimir Putin.

This week the International Olympic Committee recommended that Russians and Belarusians be allowed to participate in international sport under a neutral flag despite Ukraine’s war.

Britain, the United States and France – hosts for next year’s Olympics – were part of a group of more than 30 countries that issued a collective statement last month calling for an outright ban on athletes from Russia and Belarus.

But IOC President Bach said on Thursday: “It is unfortunate to see that some governments do not want to respect the majority within the Olympic movement and all stakeholders, nor the autonomy of sport.

It is unfortunate that these governments do not address the issue of double standards. We have not seen a single comment on their position on the participation of athletes from 70 wars and armed conflicts around the world.

Ukrainian Vladimir Klitschko accused Bach of “serving the colors of Russia” on Wednesday

Russian cross-country skier Veronika Stepanova said she was “proud” to support Vladimir Putin

Governments cannot decide which athletes can participate in which competition. This will be the end of world sport as we know it today.”

Bach’s recommendations also drew criticism from Russian athletes, who he said should not compete if they were shown to actively support the war.

“The IOC’s conditions are humiliating and stupid,” said Russian skier Veronika Stepanova, who won gold in the 4x5km relay at the Winter Olympics last year. Hanging to support the head of state? Yes, I’m proud of that.

IOC officials have brought themselves to a dead end, from which they still have many years to get out.