U.S. lawmakers from both parties are criticizing the International Olympic Committee after it voted this week to provisionally allow the Russian Olympic Committee back into competition, arguing the decision sends the wrong message as Russia continues its war against Ukraine.

The criticism came as Moscow presses ahead with its military campaign more than four years after launching its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, with lawmakers saying the conditions that prompted Russia’s suspension have not materially changed.

“This is a disappointing decision from the IOC that rewards [Russian President Vladimir] Putin despite his slow-rolling of peace negotiations to end his ongoing, brutal war against Ukraine,” Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said in a statement to Politico.

“International sport should be a means for promoting peace and fair competition, and Russia has yet to demonstrate it is able to meet that standard,” she added.

Republican lawmakers echoed that criticism, accusing the IOC of backing away from its previous stance against Moscow.

“The conditions of Russia’s unprovoked war in Ukraine have not changed; Vladimir Putin is still a thug, and his forces are still committing atrocities against Ukrainian civilians,” Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., wrote on X.

“What had changed,” Scott added, “is the IOC’s willingness to take a principled stance against these atrocities.”

Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, the former chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, pointed to Russia’s recent attacks on Ukraine in condemning the decision.

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Tagged: Sports BACK TO HOMEPAGE