IOC gives green light for Russian, Belarusian athletes to compete in 2024 Paris Games

By Emre Asikci

ISTANBUL (AA) - The International Olympic Committee gave the green light to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to participate in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

"No athlete should be prevented from competing just because of their passport," the IOC said in a statement after a meeting of its executive board.

The committee said that any Russian or Belarusian athlete would be able to compete in Paris in the 2024 Summer Olympics as "neutral athletes, as is already happening in professional leagues and some professional sports."

These include taking part as neutral athletes without the use of their nations' names, emblems, or anthems.

"Only athletes who fully respect the Olympic Charter would participate. This means in particular: first, only those who have not acted against the peace mission of the IOC by actively supporting the war in Ukraine could compete," it added.

The executive board of the IOC also said that no international sports events could be organized in Russia or Belarus.

On Feb. 24, 2022, Russia launched a war on Ukraine, which was met with international outrage, with the EU, US, and UK, among others, imposing tough sanctions on Moscow.

Since the start of the war, Russian and Belarussian athletes have been banned or restricted from various competitions worldwide.

The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) on Thursday also offered Russian and Belarusian athletes the chance to compete in Asia.

"The OCA believes in the unifying power of sport and that all athletes, regardless of their nationality or the passport they hold, should be able to compete in sports competitions. The OCA has offered to give eligible Russian and Belarusian athletes the opportunity to take part in competitions in Asia, including the Asian Games," the OCA said in a statement.