The Regime's International Isolation Has Reached His Favorite Toy

The current IOC sanctions are unprecedented.

This is not the first time the Belarusian authorities find themselves in a similar situation. During the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece did not give permission for the visit of the Minister of Sports of Belarus Yury Sivakou, who was on the list of prohibited entry to the EU countries. Then Lukashenka had enough common sense not to break through to the Olympics himself so that a scandal would not happen.

And in 2012, a scandal happened. Lukashenka really wanted to get to the Olympic Games in London. However, Great Britain refused since the Belarusian ruler was on the list of those prohibited from entering the EU countries.

So Lukashenka got used to it.

But the current IOC sanctions against Belarus are unprecedented, as well as the reasons for their introduction (persecution of athletes because of their political position). The entire National Olympic Committee fell under the sanctions. It is free of funding from the IOC, which is especially important. And athletes excluded from the national teams for political reasons will be able to take part in world competitions and the Olympics.

The process of international isolation of the Belarusian political regime has reached Lukashenka's favorite toy - sport. And something tells me that this is just the beginning.

Valer Karbalevich, Telegram