Russia invasion of Ukraine: IOC condemns "breach of Olympic Truce"
Russia's invasion of Ukraine breaches the Olympic Truce, the IOC said, with the organisation "deeply concerned" about athletes.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has strongly condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which breaches the Olympic Truce.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has launched military action into neighbouring Ukraine, prompting grave concerns from leaders and organisations around the world.
While the 2022 Winter Olympics ended at the end of last week, the Paralympic Games is set for next month, meaning the Olympic Truce remains in place.
"IOC President Thomas Bach reiterates his call for peace"
"The IOC strongly condemns the breach of the Olympic Truce by the Russian government," an IOC statement read on Thursday.
"The respective UN resolution was adopted by the UN General Assembly on 2 December 2021 by consensus of all 193 UN Member States.
"The Olympic Truce began seven days before the start of the Olympic Games, on 4 February 2022, and ends seven days after the closing of the Paralympic Games."
It added: "Today, IOC President Thomas Bach reiterates his call for peace, which he expressed in his speeches at the Opening Ceremony and the Closing Ceremony of the Olympic Games."
Those speeches, the statement said, saw Bach call on political authorities to "give peace a chance" and said Olympic athletes had provided an "example of solidarity and peace".
"Following recent events, the IOC is deeply concerned about the safety of the Olympic Community in Ukraine," the IOC said.
"It has established a task force to closely monitor the situation and to coordinate humanitarian assistance to members of the Olympic Community in Ukraine where possible."