The International Olympic Committee (IOC) said 16 Russian athletes and 17 Belarusian athletes might compete at the 2024 Paris Olympics under a neutral flag.
The IOC said the athletes will compete in 10 disciplines, from cycling to swimming to tennis. One of those confirmed to compete in Paris is tennis player Daniil Medvedev.
However, the list of athletes confirmed by the IOC can still change if any participants withdraw.
So far, the IOC has counted 19 rejections from Russia including athletes who changed their minds.
In addition, there were seven rejections from Belarus, including world number three and 16 women’s tennis players Aryna Sabalenka and Victoria Azarenka.
The four Russian judokas invited by the IOC also refused en masse, as did the wrestlers.
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The IOC itself still lists Shamil Mamedov following their federation criticized the ‘non-sporting selection principle’, on Saturday (6/7).
The Russian gymnasts had previously announced that they would not attend.
On the other hand, the IOC banned both countries from competing in any team sports event in Paris. In addition, the World Athletics Federation banned both countries from participating in the sport.
Also read: Invited to Participate in the 2024 Paris Olympics, Russian Tennis Athletes Solidarity in Refusing
The ban on Russian and Belarusian athletes came following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. However, the IOC has arranged for their gradual return under a neutral flag and strict conditions.
To be invited to the Olympics, individual neutral (AIN) athletes who achieve good enough results to qualify must pass double checks, first by international sports federations and then by the IOC, to ensure they do not actively support the war in Ukraine or have ties to their country’s military.
Another sanction is that athletes will not be allowed to wear national colors but will compete under a green flag embossed with the letters AIN.
The IOC has chosen a wordless song to be played if a Russian or Belarusian athlete wins a gold medal.
Furthermore, they will not be able to take part in the parade on the Seine River during the opening ceremony and will not appear on the medal table. (Ant/Z-1)
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