McGonagle: IOC right to recommend ban on Russian, Belarusian athletes

Patsy McGonagle, the former Irish Olympic team manager, has backed the recommendation of the International Olympic Committee that sports federations ban athletes from Russia and Belarus from competing.

The IOC recommendation came after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, with Belarus having abetted the

Russians by allowing its territory to be used as part of military attacks.

The IOC said in a statement that their decision was made 'in order to protect the integrity of global sports competition and for the safety of all the participants'.

Sporting bodies have since followed suit and Sebastian Coe, the President of World Athletics, said this week: "The world is horrified by what Russia has done, aided and abetted by Belarus.

"Anyone who knows me will understand that imposing sanctions on athletes because of the actions of their government goes against the grain.

“Sport has to step up and join these efforts to end this war and restore peace. We cannot and should not sit this one out."

McGonagle, who managed the Irish athletics team for 25 years, including at four Olympic Games, believes the right call was made.

“We're watching a nation suffering 24 hours a day,” McGonagle said.

They've been thrown out of everything. It's brilliant news. It's brilliant for the sport.

“It was brilliant that the sport was strong enough to stand up and make a statement like that. Russia is a serious player, as ois Belarus. It's terribly sad what is going on in Ukraine.”