The German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) is calling for an extension of the sanctions on Russia and Belarus.

This has come amid the debate on the re-admission of athletes from these countries initiated by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

It is still “inconceivable” for Russian and Belarusian athletes to return to international competitions, the DOSB insisted.

Both countries were sanctioned in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The DOSB mentioned the recent developments in the war, such as the partial mobilisation in Russia and the missile attacks “especially targeting the civilian population of Ukraine.”

It said these were reasons why the sanctions should stay in place.

The IOC recently launched a debate on the conditions under which athletes from Russia and Belarus could be allowed to return to competitions.

IOC president Thomas Bach spoke of possibly granting athletes who distance themselves from the war permission to compete again.

The DOSB, like a number of other European federations, is against this measure and is also calling for Russian and Belarusian officials to be banned “until further notice.”

Top representatives from both countries and their national Olympic committees (NOCs) have not been affected by the IOC sanctions so far.

(dpa/NAN)