Astrit Hasani, president of the European Weightlifting Federation (EWF), has sent an open letter this Friday to IOC president Kirsty Coventry, calling for an end to the use of the “Individual Neutral Athlete” (AIN) status in international sport, with a series of arguments based on values and equality. SportsIn has obtained exclusive access to the text, which we break down below.
The Kosovar official, who has personally experienced the challenges of his country’s international recognition, raises a principled appeal: “Sport is above politics.” His initiative seeks not only to defend Russian and Belarusian athletes on an individual basis but also to safeguard the future of the Olympic Games from political conditioning.
An appeal to Olympic values
In the letter sent from Lausanne on Friday, October 3, Hasani stresses that the application of AIN status breaks with the pillars of the Olympic Charter: neutrality, universality, and the power of sport as a unifying force. He argues that sanctioning athletes for the decisions of their National Olympic Committees is an injustice and sets a dangerous precedent.
“The principle of individual responsibility must be applied; athletes should be judged by their own conduct and not by the political actions of their leaders,” Hasani states, convinced that any sanctions should fall on those directly responsible, not on those whose only aim is to compete.
Kosovo, an example of resilience
The EWF president draws on his own experience to illustrate his position. As a citizen of Kosovo, a country not recognized by Russia or Belarus, he recalls the moment when judoka Majlinda Kelmendi competed in Russia and saw her flag raised with respect. “That moment showed that sport can rise above political divisions,” he emphasizes.
Hasani insists that sport should not become a tool of sanction but rather an inclusive space that serves as an instrument of peace. “When sport remains open, it becomes a powerful tool of unity; when it becomes selective based on political circumstances, it risks losing that strength.”
A warning for the future
The European leader not only calls for the lifting of AIN status for Russian and Belarusian athletes, but also urges the IOC to commit firmly to never applying it again under any circumstances. “Restoring participation rights would not be a political act, but a reaffirmation of Olympic values,” he affirms in his letter.
Hasani’s initiative comes at a delicate time for Olympism, which is striving to maintain a balance between current geopolitical realities, decisions taken by the UN, and the defense of equality in sport. His message is clear: preserve the essence of the Olympic movement and ensure that athletes can continue competing as ambassadors of peace and mutual respect. Will the IOC make any move or comment? There seems to be no unanimous or universally acceptable response within this complex decision.
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