MINSK, 8 December (BelTA) – The Executive Board (EB) of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has decided to approve athletes from Belarus and Russia to compete at the 2024 Paris Olympics as individual neutral athletes, BelTA learned from the IOC website.
Athletes 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 in 2024 in the neutral status. Teams of Belarusian and Russian athletes will not be considered.
Only a very limited number of athletes will qualify through the existing qualification systems of the Ifs. Only three Belarusian athletes have qualified for the 2024 Paris Olympics so far.
According to the statement, athletes who actively support the war as well as athletes who are contracted to military or national security agencies will not be eligible to be entered or to compete. Any such individual neutral athlete will have to meet all anti-doping requirements applicable to them.
No flag, anthem, colors or any other identifications of Belarus and Russia will be displayed at the 2024 Olympic Games in any official venue or any official function. No Belarusian or Russian government or state officials will be invited to or accredited for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
The Olympic Games in Paris will be held from 26 July to 11 August 2024.
