The International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced on Thursday that Russia and Belarus will not receive formal invitations to the 2024 Paris Olympics due to the ongoing war in Ukraine. However, while their teams will not be invited, individual athletes from Russia and Belarus could still have the opportunity to compete as neutral athletes.
The IOC Ethics Commission released recommendations in late March stating that athletes with Russian or Belarusian passports should be allowed to participate as neutral athletes in international sports competitions. However, individuals who actively support the war in Ukraine or are connected to the Russian or Belarusian militaries or national security agencies would be prohibited from entering such competitions.
It is important to note that these recommendations specifically pertain to the participation of athletes with Russian or Belarusian passports in the 2024 Paris Olympics and the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympics, and the final decision will be made by the IOC at a later date, without being influenced by previous Olympic qualification competitions.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized the IOC’s recommendation to allow Russian athletes to compete as neutrals, accusing the organization of attempting to include representatives of a “terrorist state” in international sports. Zelensky argued that there can be no neutrality in a war and expressed concern over the potential misuse of sports for ideological purposes.
IOC President Thomas Bach responded to Zelensky’s accusations and emphasized the importance of keeping the games open to all athletes. Bach highlighted that it is not the role of governments to determine who can participate in sports competitions, as it would undermine the essence of international sports and events like the Olympic Games.
Overall, the IOC’s decision not to extend formal invitations to Russia and Belarus for the 2024 Paris Olympics highlights the ongoing geopolitical tensions and the committee’s commitment to maintaining the integrity of international sports competitions.
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