The International Olympic Committee (IOC) urged all International Sports Federations to relocate or cancel their sports events currently planned in Russia or Belarus. They should take the breach of the Olympic Truce by the Russian and Belarussian governments into account and give the safety and security of the athletes absolute priority. Official website of IOC says.
In addition, the IOC urges that no Russian or Belarussian national flag be displayed and no Russian or Belarussian anthem be played in international sports events which are not already part of the respective World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) sanctions for Russia.
On the night of February 24, Vladimir Putin officially announced start of a military special operation in Donbas. An extraordinary meeting of Russia’s Security Council was held in Moscow on February 21 to discuss the issue of recognizing the independence of the DPR and LPR. Russian President Vladimir Putin signed the decree.
