Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has campaigned to ban Russian athletes from participating in the Paris Olympic Games in 2024.
He wrote a letter to French President Emmanuel Macron and stated that allowing Russia to compete would encourage "terror".
The International Olympic Committee suggests Russian and Belarusian athletes could compete as "neutrals".
Zelensky has argued that Russia should not be able to use any sports events as propaganda for its "aggression" and "state chauvinism".
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has urged France to ban Russian athletes from the Paris Olympics in 2024, stating that allowing them to compete would tell the world that "terror is somehow acceptable.
" He wrote to French President Emmanuel Macron and referred to the actions of Russian forces in Ukrainian regions.
The International Olympic Committee's (IOC) decision to permit Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete as "neutrals" was met with criticism from Zelensky.
He expressed concern that Russia could use the event's propaganda for its "aggression" and "state chauvinism.
" Furthermore, Zelensky has threatened a Ukrainian boycott of the 2024 Olympics if Russian and Belarusian athletes are allowed to compete.
Meanwhile, the IOC has defended its decision and has stated that it believes in the neutrality and the right to compete of all athletes.
The sources differ in their characterisation of the statements from Zelensky, with some choosing to highlight his "campaign" and others focusing on his "threatened boycott".