The governments of 34 countries have called on the International Olympic Committee to exclude Russia and Belarus from the 2024 Paris Olympics

The statement was published on the British government's website.

The document was also signed by France, which will host the Olympics in Paris.

"In Russia and Belarus sport and politics are closely intertwined. We have strong concerns on how feasible it is for Russian and Belarusian Olympic athletes to compete as ‘neutrals’ — under the IOC’s conditions of no identification with their country — when they are directly funded and supported by their states," the joint statement reads. 

The governments noted that "as long as these fundamental issues and the substantial lack of clarity and concrete detail on a workable ‘neutrality’ model are not addressed," the countries disagree that Russian and Belarusian athletes should be allowed to compete. 

"We strongly urge the IOC to address the questions identified by all countries and reconsider its proposal accordingly. We also note that Russia and Belarus have it in their own hands to pave the way for their athletes’ full return to the international sports community, namely by ending the war they started," the document says.

It will be recalled that on January 25, the IOC proposed to allow Russians and Belarusians to compete under a neutral flag. 

Ukraine opposed the idea of Russian and Belarusian athletes competing under a neutral flag at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach said that excluding athletes because of their passport is not in line with the values and mission of the Olympic Charter.