The National Olympic Committee of Azerbaijan has expressed serious concern over the use of music titled “Artsakh,” carrying political and separatist content, in the competition program of figure skaters Nikita Rakhmanin – Karina Akopova, who represent Armenia at the XXV Winter Olympic Games, APA reports, citing the National Olympic Committee.
NOC has conveyed its protest to the International Olympic Committee regarding this action by the Armenian athletes.
The attention of IOC officials was drawn to the fact that the term “Artsakh” reflects the ideological essence of Armenia’s illegal and separatist policy pursued for many years with regard to the internationally recognized territories of the Republic of Azerbaijan. In this context, the choice of such a program at an international sporting event like the Olympic Games, which must remain free from politics, clearly carries political and ideological meaning and contradicts Olympic values.
It was noted that, in accordance with the fundamental principles of the Olympic Charter, any political, ideological, or separatist propaganda is prohibited at the Olympic Games. One of the missions of the International Olympic Committee is to keep sport separate from 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 international sporting principles, violate the principle of neutrality of the Olympic Movement, and at the same time undermine the environment of peace and mutual trust in the region."
In its protest, the National Olympic Committee once again stated that the Olympic Games are one of the symbols of peace, friendship, and mutual respect among peoples, and that using this platform for political and separatist propaganda purposes is unacceptable.
