- Honda and Nissan expected to begin merger talks
- 'Draconian' Vietnam internet law heightens free speech fears
- Israeli women mobilise against ultra-Orthodox military exemptions
- Asian markets track Wall St rally as US inflation eases rate worries
- Tens of thousands protest in Serbian capital over fatal train station accident
- Trump vows to 'stop transgender lunacy' as a top priority
- Daniels throws five TDs as Commanders down Eagles, Lions and Vikings win
- 'Who's next?': Misinformation and online threats after US CEO slaying
- Only 12 trucks delivered food, water in North Gaza Governorate since October: Oxfam
- Langers edge Tiger and son Charlie in PNC Championship playoff
- Explosive batsman Jacobs gets New Zealand call-up for Sri Lanka series
- Holders PSG edge through on penalties in French Cup
- Slovak PM Fico on surprise visit to Kremlin to talk gas deliveries
- Daniels throw five TDs as Commanders down Eagles
- Atalanta fight back to take top spot in Serie A, Roma hit five
- Mancini admits regrets over leaving Italy for Saudi Arabia
- Run machine Ayub shines as Pakistan sweep South Africa
- Slovak PM Fico on surprise visit to Kremlin
- Gaza rescuers say Israeli strikes kill 35
- 'Incredible' Liverpool must stay focused: Slot
- Maresca 'absolutely happy' as title-chasing Chelsea drop points in Everton draw
- Salah happy wherever career ends after inspiring Liverpool rout
- Three and easy as Dortmund move into Bundesliga top six
- Liverpool hit Spurs for six, Man Utd embarrassed by Bournemouth
- Netanyahu vows to act with 'force, determination' against Yemen's Huthis
- Mbappe back from 'bottom' as Real Madrid down Sevilla
- Ali hat-trick helps champions Ahly crush Belouizdad
- France kept on tenterhooks over new government
- Salah stars as rampant Liverpool hit Spurs for six
- Syria's new leader says all weapons to come under 'state control'
- 'Sonic 3' zips to top of N.America box office
- Rome's Trevi Fountain reopens to limited crowds
- Mbappe strikes as Real Madrid down Sevilla
- 'Nervous' Man Utd humiliated by Bournemouth
- Pope again condemns 'cruelty' of Israeli strikes on Gaza
- Lonely this Christmas: Vendee skippers in low-key celebrations on high seas
- Troubled Man Utd humiliated by Bournemouth
- 2 US pilots shot down over Red Sea in 'friendly fire' incident: military
- Man Utd embarrassed by Bournemouth, Chelsea held at Everton
- France awaits fourth government of the year
- Germany pledges security inquest into Christmas market attack
- Death toll in Brazil bus crash rises to 41
- Joshua bout only fight left for beaten Fury says promoter Hearn
- Odermatt stays hot to break Swiss World Cup wins record
- Neville says Rashford's career at Man Utd nearing 'inevitable ending'
- Syria's new leader vows not to negatively interfere in Lebanon
- Germany pledges security inquest after Christmas market attack
- Putin vows 'destruction' on Ukraine after Kazan drone attack
- Understated Usyk seeks recognition among boxing legends
- France awaits appointment of new government
Bach's successor must give Russia cold shoulder: Ukrainian sports minister
The successor to Thomas Bach as International Olympic Committee president must "embody the principles of justice" and that means refusing to welcome Russia back into the sporting world, Ukraine's Sports Minister Matviy Bidnyi has told AFP.
Seven candidates are vying to succeed Bach in an election in March but the German will step down in June 2025 after 12 years in charge.
Athletes from Russia and their allies Belarus were allowed to compete under a neutral flag at this year's Paris Olympics, having met strict criteria.
However, momentum appears to be gathering pace for Russia to be re-admitted to the international fold under its own flag.
One of the favourites for the IOC job, Juan Antonio Samaranch Junior, told AFP in September that Russia remained in violation of the Olympic Charter, but said "once the reasons for the suspension are removed, we will have to work very hard to get Russia back".
Bidnyi, though, says over two years into a war sparked by Russia's invasion of Ukraine there should be no softening of the line.
"Our position is clear: sports cannot be a propaganda tool for an aggressor state," he said.
"There can be no return under the national flag of a country that continues to wage the largest war in Europe since World War II.
"If IOC presidential candidates want to be global sports leaders, they must embody the principles of justice."
Bidnyi, 45, who has been in his post since November 2023, said the candidates should come to Ukraine to see the devastating impact of the conflict.
"We would invite them to visit Ukraine, see destroyed sports facilities, and talk to the families of deceased coaches and athletes," he said.
"Perhaps then they would understand that allowing Russia to return under its national flag is not just a dubious step but a concession to Russian hybrid influence."
Whatever the future holds for the IOC, Bidnyi is excited that "Ukraine stands on the brink of a major transformation towards EU membership".
The EU agreed in June this year to start accession negotiations with Kyiv.
Bidnyi concedes that in the sporting world, Ukraine needs to sharpen up its act to meet European standards.
"This includes transparency in financing, developing grassroots sports through a network of sports clubs, strengthening the role of sports federations, and engaging youth," he said.
- 'Moved to tears' -
Bidnyi says Ukraine is lagging behind when it comes to engagement in sport.
"In France over 70% of citizens actively participate in sports through more than 160,000 sports clubs," said the former bodybuilder.
"In Ukraine, only 15% of the population engages in regular physical activity, and we have around 2,000 clubs.
"We must implement changes quickly, and sports clubs must become the foundation for sports federations."
There has been talk of bringing the war to an end with incoming US president Donald Trump keen to broker a peace agreement.
Bidnyi says if that happened, Russia should foot the bill for the rebuilding of sporting infrastructure, although he added that "no amount of money can compensate for the lives of Ukrainian citizens lost".
He says that the process "must be approached systematically."
"We will support the development of community sports clubs, multifunctional spaces for various sports, with appropriate conditions for veterans, persons with disabilities, children, and youth."
Ukraine has enjoyed a successful year sporting-wise given the extremely tough circumstances.
Yaroslava Mahuchikh broke the 37-year-old women's high jump world record and was one of her country's three Olympic gold medallists -- they won 12 medals in all.
Their Paralympians brought home 82 medals, 22 of them gold, and in May boxer Oleksandr Usyk defended his world heavyweight title by inflicting British opponent Tyson Fury's first ever defeat. They meet in a rematch this weekend.
However, it is another boxer, Maksym Galinichev, one of over 500 coaches and athletes who have died during the war, that sparked "very strong emotions" in Bidnyi.
Guests at Ukraine's house in Paris during the Olympics were addressed by his avatar.
"Maksym was supposed to compete in the Olympic ring in Paris but died on the frontlines of the Russian-Ukrainian war," said Bidnyi.
IT specialists synthesised his voice and facial expressions to give the fallen Ukrainian athlete a voice.
"Foreign guests were visibly moved to tears as they listened to Maksym and received symbolic copies of his dog tag," Bidnyi said.
"These emotions are beyond words."
P.Santos--AMWN