The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has announced that athletes from Russia and Belarus will not participate in the opening ceremony of the 2024 Olympics in Paris. This decision stems from the ongoing geopolitical tensions following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which led to the banning of athletes from both countries from the Olympics.
While Russian and Belarusian athletes who qualify for the Games can compete neutrally without representing their respective countries, they will be excluded from the opening ceremony. The IOC clarified that these athletes, considered individual neutrals, will still have the opportunity to participate in the event.
Currently, 12 athletes holding Russian passports and seven with Belarusian passports have qualified for the 2024 Paris Olympics. However, they will compete without displaying their national flag or logo, and their national anthem will not be played during the tournament, in adherence to the conditions of their entry into the Games.
The IOC’s decision prompted strong reactions from Russia, with the country expressing outrage at what it deemed discriminatory conditions imposed by the Olympic body. In response, Russia announced plans to host the 2026 Winter Games as the “Friendship Games,” reminiscent of the Soviet Union’s organization of the first Friendship Games after boycotting the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.
However, the IOC condemned Russia’s plan as a “cynical attempt to politicize sport,” emphasizing that it violates the Olympic Charter. Additionally, the World Anti-Doping Agency expressed concerns about the “health and fairness” of players in the Friendship Games, as they would not be held under the protection of the World Anti-Doping Code.
Amidst these developments, the IOC reiterated its stance against Russia’s disregard for global anti-doping standards and the integrity of competition, underscoring the importance of upholding the principles of fair play and sportsmanship in international sporting events.
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