Samaranch’s Remarks on Russia Spark Outrage in Ukraine

Ukraine has slammed IOC presidential candidate Juan Antonio Samaranch for suggesting Russia could rejoin the Olympic movement if it complies with the rules, calling the idea «unacceptable and outrageous.»

Samaranch, son of a former IOC president, is vying to succeed Thomas Bach next year. Speaking at a sports conference in Budapest, he acknowledged Russia’s violations of the Olympic Charter but emphasized that if those violations end, Russia should be reintegrated.

Thomas Bach and Juan Antonio Samaranch. GETTY IMAGES

This stance infuriated Kyiv. Ukraine’s Sports Minister Matviy Bidny and Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga responded angrily, criticizing Samaranch for seemingly downplaying the war’s impact. They accused Russia of using sports as propaganda and said the nation continues its brutal war against Ukraine, making any reinstatement talks premature.

VP of the International Olympic Committee, Juan Antonio Samaranch. GETTY IMAGES

Samaranch’s comments stand in stark contrast to Sebastian Coe, another IOC presidential hopeful, who firmly opposes the inclusion of Russian athletes. Samaranch’s suggestion that the Ukraine war is «just one of 40-plus conflicts» further fueled outrage, with Ukrainian officials stating his remarks ignore the ongoing atrocities.

For Belarusian athletes, this political fallout is significant. Many are now seen as complicit with Russia, caught in the crossfire of a conflict they did not choose, and likely to suffer the same consequences due to the close political ties between the two countries’ authoritarian regimes.