IOC allows Russians and Belarusians to compete in 2024 Olympics as neutrals

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has declared that individual athletes from Russia and Belarus will be eligible to compete in the 2024 Olympic Games as neutrals. Teams will not take part. 

Source: IOC’s official website 

Details: It is noted that strict eligibility conditions apply to qualify for the Games, including anti-doping rules. 

The IOC says that as of 8 December 2023, only 11 "neutral athletes" (eight with Russian passports and three with Belarusian passports) have qualified for the 2024 Olympics. 

In comparison, more than 60 Ukrainian athletes have already passed the selection process for the Games. The Ukrainian delegation is expected to be approximately the same size as at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo. 

Quote: "Qualified athletes with a Russian or Belarusian passport will be entered as, and compete as, Individual Neutral Athletes (‘AINs’).

Teams of athletes with a Russian or Belarusian passport will not be considered. 

Athletes who actively support the war will not be eligible to be entered or to compete." 

Details: Athletes who have signed a contract to serve in the Russian or Belarusian army or national security agencies will also not be eligible to compete in the games. 

The symbols of Russia and Belarus will also be banned at the 2024 Olympic Games, and no representatives of the authorities will be invited.

Background:

• The International Olympic Committee recommended that international sports federations allow athletes from Russia and Belarus to take part in tournaments as neutrals, but deferred its response concerning their participation in the Olympics.
• In October 2023, the World Karate Federation (WKF) allowed 20 representatives of Russia and Belarus to compete in the World Karate Championship as neutrals.

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