It's just another case of cancel culture mentality.

Instead of seeing sports & olympics as an option to keep/establish diplomatic relationships and show people "We are still the same race - humans" blanket banning of countries leads to the opposite. Dehumanization of the enemy is huge thing in wars.

It's what I love about video games. You can play with people hundreds/thousands of miles away and realize "that guy is the same as me, even though he is from another country. he has way more in common with me than some politicians in my country - why should I fight him?"