IOC Head: it is important for athletes from conflicting countries to participate in Olympics

Participation of athletes from conflicting countries in the Olympic Games is extremely important – as stated by the IOC Head, Thomas Bach, at the G20 Summit in Indonesia, TASS reports

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"Olympic sport needs the participation of all athletes who accept the rules, even and especially if their countries are in confrontation or at war. A competition between athletes from only like-minded states is not a credible symbol of peace. In this age of division, our role is clear: to unite the world – and not to deepen divisions," Mr. Bach said.

The Head of the International Olympic Committee also stressed that sport should not become a tool for achieving political goals, because otherwise it will lose its unifying force.