Azerbaijan’s National Olympic Committee (NOC) has expressed serious concern over the use of music titled “Artsakh,” which carries political and separatist content, in the competition program of figure skaters Nikita Rakhmanin and Karina Akopova, who represent Armenia at the 25th Winter Olympic Games, APA reports.
The NOC conveyed its protest to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) regarding the actions of the Armenian athletes.
The attention of IOC officials was drawn to the fact that the term “Artsakh” reflects the ideological essence of Armenia’s long-standing illegal and separatist policy with regard to the internationally recognized territories of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
Highlighting the IOC’s stance on neutrality, the NOC stated that the use of such a program at an international sporting event like the Olympic Games clearly carries political and ideological meaning and contradicts Olympic values.
It was noted that, in line 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 ensure the political neutrality of sport 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 undermine the environment of peace and mutual trust in the region.
In its protest, the NOC once again emphasized that the Olympic Games are one of the symbols of peace, friendship, and mutual respect, stressing that the use of this platform for political and separatist propaganda purposes is unacceptable.
