Monaco: 8 February 2017
WOA would like to reiterate its recent statement on the right of athletes to train and compete free from political interference in light of developments in the United States and Iran.
WOA was pleased to see reports that the Iran ban on US athletes competing in Iran has been temporarily lifted in response to the provisional suspension by a US Federal Judge of the ban preventing nationals from seven countries from entering the US as part of President Donald Trump’s Executive Order on Immigration.
However, as this is only a temporary solution we would once again encourage authorities to observe the true spirit of sport to ensure athletes maintain the right to train and compete internationally by putting in place a formal resolution to protect those rights.
In line with the principles of the Olympic Movement, no government should prevent athletes from competing on the international stage and we would urge the US and Iran to systematically respect the values of fair play, friendship and understanding in this regard on a permanent and ongoing basis.
You can read WOA’s previous statement on this matter here.
-ENDS-
About World Olympians Association
WOA is the member organisation for the more than 120,000 Olympians worldwide. Our remit is to work for the benefit of all Olympians at all stages of their lives, empowering them to serve society and help make the world a better place. With 148 member National Olympians Associations (NOAs) spread across all five continents, WOA provides support to Olympian-run events and projects based on the Olympic ideals laid down by Pierre de Coubertin.
For more information
Amelia Fisher-Starzynski
VERO Communications
afisher-starzynski@verocom.co.uk
+44 (0) 207 812 6589 / +44 (0) 7557 418 187
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