IOC chief supports the return of Russian and Belarusian athletes to competitions under the neutral status
The head of the International Olympic Committee, Thomas Bach, has supported the return of Russian and Belarusian athletes to international competitions under the neutral status — Sky News.
The IOC Executive Board is meeting on March 28-30.
Suspilne, which is following the meeting, writes that the IOC has issued new recommendations for the participation of Russians and Belarusians.
They include:
- Athletes with Russian and Belarusian passports must compete only as individual neutral athletes.
- Teams cannot compete.
- Athletes who actively support the war cannot compete. It also applies to staff.
- Athletes under contract to the armed forces and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia or Belarus are not eligible to compete.
- All admitted athletes must comply with anti-doping rules.
- Sanctions against those responsible for the war remain in place.
These recommendations will be passed on to international sports federations. After that, they will decide whether to allow Russians to participate.
The IOC Executive Committee unanimously supported all these recommendations.
However, there is no decision on the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes in the 2024 Olympics. This issue will be considered later.
