"If we allow this, we are lost" - IOC president Bach on Wimbledon ban
ATP
Thomas Bach, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) President, has criticized organizers of the 2022 Wimbledon Championships for banning Russian and Belarusian players.
The All England Club decided that players from Russia and Belarus would not be allowed to enter the 2022 Championships. This move came after other sporting bodies banned competitors from the two nations following Russia's invasion of Ukraine earlier in 2022.
It was a bold decision and one that has not fallen in line with other Grand Slams, as players from the nations were allowed to compete at the 2022 Roland Garros in May and June.
However, the French Open organizers ensured that players from these nations competed under a neutral flag. Wimbledon organizers have faced intense criticism from players and commentators in the tennis world, with some, like Rafael Nadal, opposing the ban.
The ATP and WTA also reacted strongly by removing any ranking points from the 2022 Championships this season. One of the latest high-profile sports figures to enter the discussion was Bach.
The IOC President joined those who opposed the ban and felt the All England Club should have followed other events by allowing players to enter under the neutral flag.
"Look at our friends from tennis. In Paris, Russian [and Belarusian] players can play as neutral athletes. In London, at Wimbledon, the [UK] government is saying no way. And if we (sporting federations) allow this, if we give into this, then we are lost."
Wimbledon's decision comes amid uncertainty, as event organizers have made decisions in unprecedented circumstances against the backdrop of war. Novak Djokovic recently expressed sympathy for all parties, explaining that there are currently no right or wrong answers.
However, Bach doubled down on his criticism of the All England Club's ruling for 2022. The IOC President felt that Wimbledon organizers acted on political bias rather than sporting fairness, and he feels the ban could lead to future difficulties depending on global politics.
"How then can you guarantee in your sport a fair international competition, if the governments are deciding according to their own political interests, who can take part in a competition and who cannot take part?"
"If you open this gate, today, it is Russia and Belarus, tomorrow it is your country. There is no country in the world which is loved by every other government."
