Good news for Russian & Belarusian athletes! The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has granted permission to these athletes to participate in Paris Olympics 2024 as neutrals. After Russia was banned from the apex sporting committee, now these players can feature in the Olympics, but only as neutrals.
The allowance of the athletes comes with a catch. Since they can appear and participate as neutrals, they will be without any flags, banners, anthems, or anthems for the Paris Olympics.
“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,” the Olympic body said in a statement.
The IOC further stated that in no way will they allow athletes under Russia or Belarus’s banner to feature in Paris Olympics:-
No flag, anthem, colours or any other identifications whatsoever of Russia or Belarus will be displayed at the Olympic Games Paris 2024 in any official venue or any official function.
No Russian or Belarusian government or state officials will be invited to or accredited for the Olympic Games Paris 2024.
The IOC however defended the athletes claiming that they should not be blamed for the actions of their governments. Earlier, Ukraine had strictly opposed the inclusion of Russian athletes in the Paris Olympics. The IOC further added, “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.”
Till now 4600 athletes have officially qualified for Paris Olympics. Out of which 8 are Russian athletes and from which 3 athletes hold Belarusian passports. On the other hand, 60 athletes from Ukraine have qualified for the mega competition.
