The charitable foundation set up by Russian racing driver Nikita Mazepinhas called on Thomas Bach to end restrictions on Russia ©Getty Images

The charitable foundation "We Compete As One", founded by Russian racing driver Nikita Mazepin, has called on International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach to advocate for the abolition of restrictions for the country's athletes.

Russia has been frozen out of international sport since the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine last February, with the IOC recommending an outright ban on its and Belarus' athletes.

In March, the global governing body altered its stance and suggested that International Federations allow individual athletes from the two nations back into competition, but a ban should remain on teams.

The IOC insisted that the new recommendations did not yet apply to the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Nikita Mazepin was sacked by Formula One team Haas following the Russian invasion of Ukraine ©Getty Images
Nikita Mazepin was sacked by Formula One team Haas following the Russian invasion of Ukraine ©Getty Images

"Established to support athletes excluded from international competition for non-sporting reasons, the We Compete As One charitable foundation is firmly committed to the position that all athletes, without exception, should have equal conditions for admission to the Olympic Games," read a We Compete As One statement, as reported by Russian official state agency TASS.

"In particular, the ability to participate in team sports, not to undergo any individual checks that go beyond the Olympic Charter and the requirements of the World Anti-Doping Agency."

"The We Compete As One foundation calls on all who share these beliefs to join the collection of signatures under an open letter to the International Olympic Committee - athletes and our friendly international partners, thereby confirming the unity of the sporting spirit around the world."

The organisation claimed that excluding athletes in such a way was contradictory to the ideals of sport.

It claimed that the policy was destructive and did not contribute to the development of international sports.


The
The "We Compete As One" charity, founded by Russian racing driver Nikita Mazepin, claims that excluding athletes from international competition based on their nationality does not solve anything ©WCAO

Mazepin previously raced in Formula One for Haas F1 Team in the 2021 World Championship but his contract was terminated with his agreement due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.


Prior to that, a campaign calling for his sacking took place after he posted a video on Instagram where he groped a woman's chest.

He released an apology but it was deleted nine days later before the woman posted on her own social media stating "never let them touch you or be disrespectful to you".

Mazepin's father is Uralchem Group founder Dmitry Mazepin, who according to Forbes is worth $800 million (£667 million/€754 million), and is considered to be part of Vladimir Putin's inner-circle.