Wladimir Klitschko has sent a harrowing message to IOC president Thomas Bach over the potential involvement of Russian and Belarusian athletes in the Paris 2024 Olympics.
The heavyweight boxing legend and his equally iconic brother, Vitali, joined the front line in Ukraine in the immediate aftermath of Russia's invasion last February. And since, the former world champions have signified the courage of their nation's civilians, regularly using social media to appeal for help and underline their desire to defend their country.
And now Wladimir, 46, has weighed in on Bach's controversial plans to create a pathway for Russian and Belarusian competitors to take part under a neutral flag, without anthems, under the condition they have never publicly supported the war. An IOC statement also stressed that athletes would have to fully-comply with the World Anti-Doping Code.
