Russian and Belarusian equestrian athletes will not be able to participate in the 2024 Paris Olympics, even as neutral athletes. This is stated in a statement by the International Equestrian Federation, as quoted by Reuters, UNN informs.
Earlier this month, the International Olympic Committee approved the participation of Russians and Belarusians, who qualify in their respective sports for the 2024 Olympics as neutral without flags, emblems, or anthems.
Russians and Belarusians were initially banned from participating in international competitions after Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, for which Belarus was used as a staging ground.
Since last year, the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) has banned Russian and Belarusian athletes, horses and officials from participating in its events.
"According to the Olympic Qualification System for Equestrianism, individual qualification is ensured by the FEI Olympic ranking... from January 1, 2023 to December 31, 2023," the FEI said on Thursday.
As Russian and Belarusian athletes have not participated in FEI competitions since March 2, 2022, representatives of these countries will not participate in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.