IOC admits Russians and Belarusians to Paris 2024 This is how Switzerland interferes with sports clubs – and that is worrying

There are a number of conditions attached to the permission to start in Paris next summer for Russian and Belarusian athletes: As with the return to international competitions, it is necessary that Russians and Belarusians are only allowed to participate in Paris under a neutral flag. For participants from both countries, the national anthem is not allowed to be played and national symbols and flags are also prohibited.

Furthermore, these athletes must not have any ties to the military and security bodies and must not have actively expressed support for the war in Ukraine. In addition, the anti-doping guidelines must be complied with. As an additional requirement, the IOC requires all athletes to commit in writing to the Olympic Charter and therefore also to the “peace mission of the Olympic Movement”.

In doing so, the IOC followed a request from international summer sports associations and the National Olympic Committees to finally make a decision on the issue, which has been controversial since the start of Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine.

According to the IOC, eight Russians and three Belarusians have qualified for the Olympic Games in Paris so far. More than 60 Ukrainians were said to be among the approximately 4,600 athletes already eligible to participate. (nih/sda)