“The World Is Watching You. History Will Judge You”: Former Heavyweight Champion Reprimands IOC as They Plan to Include Russian Athletes in Paris Olympics 2024

Former World heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko established himself as a boxing legend. In his two-decades-long career, the prolific Ukrainian fought 69 professional bouts. He won 64, lost 5, and won 53 fights via. Knock-out. In 1996, before turning pro, Klitschko also won Olympic gold in the Super-heavyweight class. However, the Olympian has voiced his dissent towards the International Olympic Committee’s recent decision.

The IOC has decided not to ban Russian athletes from the 2024 Paris Olympics. However, Klitschko, who has been fighting for his country since the Russian army invaded Ukraine in February 2022, condemned the IOC’s decision. Dr. Steelhammer uploaded a video on Twitter to voice his opinion.

The Boxing legend urges the IOC to reconsider

The former heavyweight champion shot the video in front of wartorn buildings. In the video, which seemed to be shot on the selfie camera of a phone, Dr. Steelhammer addressed the IOC president. “You are the representative of the universal values of tolerance and peace. You propose to reauthorize Russian and Belarusian athletes to participate in the Paris games.” Klitschko told Thoomas Bach.

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After expressing his feelings toward Russia, Dr. Steelhammer said that allowing Russian athletes to compete would “betray the Olympic spirit.” He also said that the most significant “international body of sport,” should not allow Russia to participate. “The world is watching you. History will judge you. Good luck with your decision.” the boxing legend said in the video.

Besides not banning Russian athletes, the International Olympic Committee also plans to allow Belarusian athletes to compete in the Olympics. Dr. Steelhammer also voiced his concern against including Belarusian athletes since Belarus allowed Russian troops through their border to invade Nothern Ukraine. Earlier, President Volodimir Zelenski also called for banning Russian and Belarusian athletes from the Paris Olympic Games.

The IOC’s sanctions

While the International Olympic Committee plans to allow Russians and Belarusians to compete in the upcoming Olympics, they have put sanctions in place. According to a recent statement, the IOC won’t organize any International Sports Federation (IF) or National Occupational Classification (NOC) events in either of the countries. They also won’t allow athletes to display the “flag, anthem, colors or any other identifications whatsoever of these countries.”

However, Russian Olympic Committee head Stanislav Pozdnyakov didn’t welcome the sanctions against his country’s athletes. “Russians must participate exactly on the same conditions as all other athletes. Any additional conditions or criteria are unwelcome,” he told Russian news outlets. However, on Tuesday, The International Olympic Committee rebuffed Pozdnyakov’s demand.

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While they plan to include Russian and Belarusian athletes, the IOC hasn’t formally confirmed their decision. Only time will tell what the IOC’s ultimate decision will be.