Russian, Belarusian athletes not allowed to attend Paris Olympics opening ceremony

By Selcuk Bugra Gokalp

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) on Tuesday said Russian and Belarusian athletes competing in the 2024 Olympics in Paris will not be able to take part in the opening ceremony.

Athletes from both countries were banned after Russia's war on Ukraine in February 2022.

Those who qualify for the Games, however, can compete as neutrals.

Individual Neutral Athletes (AINs) from either country "will not participate in the parade of delegations and teams during the opening ceremony since they are individual athletes," the IOC said in a statement. "But an opportunity will be provided to them to experience the event.”

No flag, anthem, colors or any other identifications of Russia or Belarus will be displayed at the Games.

During the ceremonies, a specific AIN flag will be flown and the AIN anthem will be played.

Additionally, no Russian or Belarusian government or state officials will be invited to or accredited for the Games.

The statement said there are currently 12 AINs with a Russian passport and seven AINs with a Belarusian passport who have qualified for Paris 2024.

“The experts currently project that, under the most likely scenario, 36 AINs with a Russian passport and 22 AINs with a Belarusian passport will qualify for the Olympic Games Paris 2024,” it added.​​​​​​​