The UCI welcomes and supports the clarity of the statement made by the International Olympic Committee on 28 March 2023, in particular, the further guidelines issued by the IOC for International Federations on the participation of athletes with a Russian or Belarusian passport in international competitions. The UCI reiterates both its strong condemnation of the military aggression in Ukraine by the Russian and Belarusian governments and its commitment to political neutrality in sport.
This topic is on the agenda of the next UCI Management Committee being held early May, and the UCI will communicate on its decision following this meeting.
In 2022, the UCI provided technical and material support to the Ukrainian Cycling Federation to enable its riders to continue training and racing. Assistance vehicles were also provided for the Ukrainian riders and staff. A credit of 600,000 Swiss francs was made available for this purpose, making the UCI the first International Federation (IF) in the world to support Ukrainian athletes. At its next meeting, the UCI Management Committee will approve an additional support programme for the Ukrainian Cycling Federation, which will include financial and technical assistance for athletes and the hosting of riders aiming to compete at Paris 2024 at the UCI World Cycling Centre in Aigle (Switzerland), with the objective of qualifying the maximum number of Ukrainian athletes for the event.
As a reminder, the UCI Management Committee unanimously adopted a resolution on 3 February 2023:
reiterating its commitment to political neutrality.
underlining the right of all athletes, regardless of their nationality, to be treated without discrimination.
supporting the resolution of the 11th Olympic Summit and the IOC Executive Board of 25 January on the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials, which should depend only on their sporting merit and their respect for the rules of sport, thus opening the way for their participation, under strict conditions, in UCI international events.
underlining that athletes would compete as "neutral athletes" and would not represent their state or any other organisation in their country. Only athletes who fully respect the Olympic Charter would be able to participate.
confirming that in the meantime, the position taken by the UCI Management Committee on 1st March 2022 remains applicable, notably: the ban on participation of national teams in any UCI International Calendar events; the refusal of all applications for the registration of Russian and Belarusian events on the UCI International Calendar; the refusal to register the National Championships of Russia and Belarus on the UCI International Calendar; the refusal of any Russian or Belarusian application to organise UCI events; the ban on display of all emblems, names, acronyms, flags and anthems linked to Russia and Belarus at all events on the UCI International Calendar etc.