The Executive Committee of the International Olympic Committee has allowed athletes from Russia and Belarus to participate in the 2024 Olympic Games in neutral status, UNN reports citing an IOC statement.
The statement said that individual neutral athletes will also have to comply with the rules and regulations applicable to the Olympic Games, including anti-doping rules.
Like all other athletes, they must also sign the updated Conditions of Participation applicable to Paris 2024. They include a commitment to respect the Olympic Charter.
The IOC emphasizes that among the 4,600 athletes from around the world who have so far qualified for Paris 2024, there are only 11 individual neutral athletes (eight with Russian passports and three with Belarusian passports). By comparison, more than 60 Ukrainian athletes have qualified for Paris 2024 so far. It is expected that the Ukrainian delegation will be approximately the same size as at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
The IOC also announced restrictions for "neutral athletes from the Russian Federation and Belarus:
qualified athletes with Russian or Belarusian passports will be registered as individual neutral athletes ("AIN") and will compete as individual neutral athletes.
teams of athletes with Russian or Belarusian passports are not considered.
athletes who actively support the war will not be eligible to be entered or compete. Support personnel actively supporting the war will not be involved.
Athletes under contract with the Russian or Belarusian military or national security services will not be eligible to be entered or compete. Support personnel working under contract with the Russian or Belarusian military or national security agencies will not be counted.
In addition, no flag, anthem, colors or any other identification of Russia or Belarus will be displayed at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at any official venue or at any official event.
No Russian or Belarusian government or public officials will be invited or accredited to the 2024 Paris Olympics.