The International Olympic Committee has resisted calls to ban the United States from the upcoming Winter Olympics over the recent capture of Nicolas Maduro.
Donald Trump launched a stunning military intervention in Venezuela earlier this month, capturing the country’s president and his wife before bringing them back to the US.
That sparked calls from some quarters for America to be excluded from the Games, which kick off in Milan and Cortina next month.
Russian teams are banned by the IOC following the country’s invasion of Ukraine but the governing body will not take action against the US, insisting the IOC must keep politics separate from sports.
‘As a global organisation, the IOC has to manage a complex reality. The IOC has to deal with the current political context and the latest developments in the world,’ it said in a statement to BBC Sport.
‘The ability to bring athletes together, no matter where they come from, is fundamental to the future of values-based, truly global sport, which can give hope to the world.
The International Olympic Committee resisted calls to ban the USA from the Winter Olympics
Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro and his wife were captured by US military forces
Ski legend Lindsey Vonn will be among the US athletes to compete in Milan and Cortina
‘For this reason, the IOC cannot involve itself directly in political matters or conflicts between countries, as these fall outside our remit. This is the realm of politics.’
The IOC previously rejected calls to ban Israel over the war in Gaza, insisting the country’s Olympic committee still complied with the Olympic charter.
But it’s said Russia was sanctioned because it captured Ukrainian territory and put athletes under the control of the Russian Olympic committee.
Some British politicians have also called on FIFA to consider banning the USMNT from its own World Cup until America demonstrates ‘clear compliance with international law and respect for the sovereignty of other nations.’
The US is hosting this summer’s World Cup alongside Canada and Mexico.
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IOC announce verdict on banning USA from Winter Olympics over Venezuela