Table Tennis Representational Image (IANS)
The IOC issued a set of suggestions on Tuesday for worldwide sports activities federations that may enable athletes from the 2 nations to return since their ban final yr following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which Belarus helped facilitate. ITTF stated on Thursday gamers from Russia and Belarus might resume competing beneath strict circumstances of neutrality from May on the earliest
The governing physique of desk tennis stated it can observe the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) steerage on Russian and Belarusian gamers by permitting them to compete as neutrals.
The IOC issued a set of suggestions on Tuesday for worldwide sports activities federations that may enable athletes from the 2 nations to return since their ban final yr following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which Belarus helped facilitate.
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The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) stated on Thursday gamers from Russia and Belarus might resume competing ”beneath strict circumstances of neutrality” from May on the earliest, however can not enter that month’s world championships after lacking qualifiers.
The governing physique, which is able to create its personal tips to specify the circumstances of their participation, stated it was ”conscious about the potential dialogues sport can create”.
It cited the instance of ’ping-pong diplomacy’, when American desk tennis gamers travelled to China in 1971 for a collection of exhibition video games which helped thaw relations between the 2 nations.
”Table tennis has an extended historical past of bringing individuals collectively even when political ties have been tenuous,” it stated.
”It can construct bridges, main to higher understanding amongst peoples, and open the door for peacebuilding in ways in which exclusion and division can not.
”The ITTF reiterates its name for peace and unequivocally condemns the warfare in Ukraine. It stands in solidarity with the individuals of Ukraine and will proceed to help the Ukrainian desk tennis group.”
The International Fencing Federation’s (FIE) choice to reverse a ban on Russian and Belarusian athletes earlier this month has already prompted a backlash, with organisers in Germany and Denmark cancelling their occasions.
Ukrainian fencers backed their federation’s choice to boycott competitions that includes Russians and Belarusians, whereas greater than 300 fencers signed a letter asking the IOC and FIE to rethink their choice.
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