Individual Russian and Belarusian athletes who qualify for subsequent yr’s Olympics will likely be allowed to compete, however solely as neutrals, video games bosses have stated.
Athletes from the 2 nations had initially been banned from worldwide competitors, due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
But in March, the IOC really helpful worldwide sports activities federations enable them to return they usually have since performed so in most occasions.
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The International Olympic Committee (IOC) stated on Friday they will participate in Paris supplied they achieve this with out flags, emblems or anthems and solely as people.
The IOC stated in an announcement: “The Executive Board (EB) of the IOC has decided that Individual Neutral Athletes (AINs) who have qualified through the existing qualification systems of the International Federations (IFs) on the field of play will be declared eligible to compete at the Olympic Games Paris 2024 in accordance with the conditions outlined below.
“Individual Neutral Athletes are athletes with a Russian or Belarusian passport.”
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Athletes from Russia and Belarus will solely compete in particular person sports activities and no groups for the 2 nations will likely be allowed to take part in Paris.
The IOC, which in October suspended the Russian Olympic Committee for recognising regional organisations from 4 territories annexed from Ukraine, additionally stated athletes who actively help the warfare in Ukraine wouldn’t be welcome.
And help for them will likely be skinny on the bottom, as no Russian or Belarusian authorities or state official will likely be invited both.
Athletes from the 2 nations shouldn’t be punished for the actions of their governments, the IOC stated, which it known as a “well-established practice”.
It stated: “The protection of the rights of individual athletes to participate in competitions despite the suspension of their National Olympic Committee is a well-established practice, respecting human rights.”
Eight Russians athletes and three from Belarus are among the many 4,600 sportspeople who’ve to date certified for the Summer Games, the IOC stated.
In 2021, Russia despatched a staff of 335 athletes to the Tokyo Olympics however solely dozens are more likely to compete in Paris.
Source: information.sky.com”