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In a big update, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on Friday, 8 December confirmed the participation of the Belarusian and Russian athletes in the Paris Olympics 2024. The IOC confirmed this update in its media address, further stating that the teams of athletes with a Russian or Belarusian passport will not be considered for the upcoming Games in the French capital.
It is to be noted that these nations were banned following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. However, the athletes will be allowed to compete at the global level, they will be competing without flags, emblems or anthems of their country. The IOC further added that letting individuals take part at the quadrennial Games was about “respecting human rights”.
“Qualified athletes with a Russian or Belarusian passport will be entered as, and compete as, Individual Neutral Athletes (“AINs”),” the IOC stated in its released. Additionally, it also clarified that “athletes who actively support the war will not be eligible to be entered or to compete. Support personnel who actively support the war will not be entered”. The Olympic body also clarified that “no Russian or Belarusian government or state officials will be invited to or accredited for the Olympic Games Paris 2024.
World Athletics' position remains unchanged on Russian and Belarusian athletes
The World Athletics however after this statement from IOC have remained unchanged on their viewpoint for Russian and Belarusian athletes. They clarified that their position remains unchanged with athletes, support personnel and officials from Russia and Belarus remaining excluded “from all World Athletics Series events”.
“You may well see some neutral athletes from Russia and Belarus in Paris, it just won’t be in athletics,” World Athletics President Sebastian Coe said on Friday.
