Russia and Belarusian athletes at Asian Games: Asian athletes received’t lose medals, quotas says OCA performing president Randhir Singh

A ‘special quota system’ is presently being devised which can pave the way in which for athletes from Russia and Belarus to qualify for subsequent 12 months’s Paris Olympics – through Asia.

Speaking to The Indian Express, performing president of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), Randhir Singh, mentioned his organisation is within the means of designing a qualification pathway in order that athletes from these two nations can vie for Olympic berths by competing in Asian tournaments with out consuming into the prevailing quotas meant for the continent’s athletes. The modalities, he added, are being labored on in collaboration with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and worldwide sports activities federations.

Earlier this week, the OCA invited Russian and Belarusian athletes – who’ve been exiled from many worldwide sports activities following the invasion of Ukraine – to compete on the Asian Games, which can be held in Hangzhou, China, from September 23 to October 8. They may also be allowed to participate in different continental tournaments.

For the Asian Games, Singh mentioned separate medals will possible be awarded to Asian athletes in case they lose to the Russians in medal rounds. Additionally, the athletes from these two nations may not be allowed to compete in all sports activities on the multi-discipline occasion.

“They won’t interfere in our medal system or Asian quota for the Olympic Games,” Singh mentioned. “The IOC will work out (Olympic) quota (policy) with us at the OCA and the international federations. And there will be separate medals.”

He added that the IOC will resolve whether or not to permit them to compete below the Russian flag and if the nation’s anthem can be allowed to play on the arenas. However, as per the world physique’s diktat, the athletes should bear obligatory dope assessments earlier than they’re allowed to compete, Singh mentioned.

The IOC, in a press release following its Executive Board assembly earlier this month, had paved the way in which for Russian and Belarusian athletes to participate within the Paris Olympics however set strict standards. Among the situations laid down, it was determined that these athletes would take part as ‘neutrals’ and never signify their respective nations. The IOC additional added that solely these athletes who haven’t participated in or supported the conflict can be thought-about.

Following the choice, the OCA invited Russia and Belarus to take part in Asian occasions, together with its flagship Asian Games. The two nations have till now competed as part of Europe. With a number of Olympic qualifying tournaments set to be held in Europe, the inclusion of Russians and Belarusians in these occasions was trying more and more uncertain as a result of tense relationships following the Ukraine conflict.

“Time is running out for athletes to win Olympic quotas. With the boycott going on, we invited Russian and Belarusian athletes to Asia to compete in our championship and Games,” Singh mentioned.

The Asian Games have been initially scheduled to happen final 12 months. However, they have been postponed to 2023 because of China’s zero-Covid coverage. The continental mega-event doubles up as an Olympic qualifier for numerous sports activities together with archery, boxing, hockey, trendy pentathlon and tennis. In many different sports activities, like wrestling and taking pictures, for instance, the Asian Championships act as an Olympic qualifying occasion.

The inclusion of Russia, an Olympic powerhouse, may significantly elevate the extent of competitors – from wrestling to taking pictures, athletics to gymnastics.

Giving a sign of how the Russians can be integrated, Singh mentioned the main target can be to incorporate them in occasions the place winners are selected an total factors system. It is probably going that Russia won’t be thought-about for fight sports activities.

“We are devising a philosophy where they’ll… be able to compete in (events) where we can take them on numbers. Not in combat sports like wrestling, for instance. If our wrestler from Asia gets knocked out in the first round, then we lose out on qualification. But if there is a points system like in athletics, shooting… these kinds of sports are where they’ll be able to compete. This is all being worked out,” Singh, the primary Indian shooter to win an Asian Games gold, mentioned.

The IOC’s choice to permit ‘neutral’ groups from Russia and Belarus has been objected to by Ukraine, with the nation’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy calling upon the world governing physique to exclude athletes from these two nations totally.

Singh mentioned the OCA’s choice to ask Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete in Asia was primarily based on the ‘principle that sport is a unifying power.’ “The idea is to give an opportunity to the athletes to participate and not miss out on the Paris Olympic Games. Sport is not a place for politics. Sports are for sports people; for love, friendship and brotherhood. Sports people are one family. On that basis, we are supporting them.”