Russian and Belarusian athletes allowed to compete at Paris 2024 Olympics
Russians and Belarusians will be allowed to compete at next year’s Olympic Games as neutrals, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced Friday.
Athletes from the two countries had been banned from international competition following Russia- Ukraine conflict last year.
Several conditions are applied to Individual Neutral Athletes (AINs), including not supporting the conflict, not being affiliated with the Russian or Belarusian military or national security agencies, and prohibiting the display of any flag, anthem, colors, or other identifications of Russia or Belarus.
They will have to sign a statement promising to respect the Olympic Charter, including “the peace mission of the Olympic movement” and fulfill anti-doping requirements for their sport.
“Among the 4,600 athletes from around the world who have qualified for Paris 2024 so far, there are only 11 individual neutral athletes (eight with a Russian passport plus three with a Belarusian passport),” the IOC said in a statement. “In comparison, to date, more than 60 Ukrainian athletes have qualified for Paris 2024.”
