In a significant development for the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has granted approval for 25 athletes from Russia and Belarus to participate under a neutral status. This decision follows a detailed vetting process to ensure the athletes have no ties to military activities or support for the war in Ukraine. Among the approved athletes are road cyclist Aleksander Vlasov and trampoline Olympic champion Ivan Litvinovich.The athletes will compete without their national flags, anthems, or symbols and will not be part of the official medal table. They are also prohibited from participating in the opening ceremony on the Seine. The decision by the IOC has been met with mixed reactions, with Ukrainian officials expressing concern that the athletes could be used as propaganda tools by the Russian government, while IOC President Thomas Bach has argued that athletes should not be punished for the actions of their governments. The Paris Olympics, set to take place from July 26 to August 11, will see these athletes compete in individual events across sports such as cycling, gymnastics, trampolining, weightlifting, and wrestling.
Key points
- 25 Russian and Belarusian athletes are approved by the IOC to compete as neutrals in the Paris Olympics.
- Athletes will compete without national flags or anthems and are excluded from the opening ceremony.
- The decision has elicited criticism from Ukraine and a defense from IOC President Thomas Bach.
