Separatist Propaganda on Ice: Baku Protests to IOC
The National Olympic Committee of Azerbaijan (NOC) has expressed its protest regarding the use of music titled "Artsakh," which carries a political and separatist character, by the figure skating pair Nikita Rakhmanin and Karina Akopova, representing Armenia at the XXV Winter Olympic Games, during their performance.
This was reported to 1news.az by the NOC.
It was brought to the attention of IOC officials that the term "Artsakh" reflects the ideological essence of the illegal and separatist policy pursued by Armenia for many years against the internationally recognized territories of the Republic of Azerbaijan. In this regard, the choice of such a program at an international sporting event like the Olympic Games, which should remain outside of politics, clearly carries political and ideological significance and contradicts Olympic values.
It was noted that, according to the fundamental principles of the Olympic Charter, no political, ideological, or separatist propaganda should be allowed at the Olympic Games. One of the missions of the International Olympic Committee is also to keep sports outside of politics and to oppose the exploitation of athletes and competitions for political purposes.
Such incidents harm the spirit of the Olympic Games, sports ethics, and the principles of international sport, violate the principle of neutrality of the Olympic Movement, and also damage the atmosphere of peace and mutual trust in the region.
In its protest, the National Olympic Committee reiterated that the Olympic Games are a symbol of peace, friendship, and mutual respect among nations, and the use of this platform for political and separatist propaganda is unacceptable.
