The International Olympic Committee (IOC) review committee has released a further 17 places at the Olympic Games in Paris for athletes from Russia and Belarus. According to the IOC, eight starting places will go to Russian tennis professionals, including former US Open winner Daniil Medvedev.
The commission allocated nine additional places to Belarus. However, the IOC only listed six athletes, including two-time tennis Grand Slam winners Aryna Sabalenka and Viktoria Asarenka. Shooting (two of a possible three participants) and rowing (two of two) are also represented. The two starting places for the modern pentathlon initially remained unused.
In mid-June, the first 25 athletes from Russia and Belarus were given permission to compete in the Olympics. Russians and Belarusians are only allowed to compete in Paris under a neutral flag. Their national anthem will not be played, and national symbols and flags are also prohibited. Teams remain completely barred. Ukraine wants to take part in the games despite the much-criticized admission of Russian athletes.
Guidelines criticized as hypocrisy
The participation of both nations is highly controversial due to the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine, which is supported by Belarus. To be admitted, athletes must have no connection to the army or security forces and must not have shown active support for the war. Critics call this requirement hypocrisy after the wrestler Abdulla Kurbanov, who is said to have supported the war of aggression and to have been trained in a sports club close to the government, was admitted.
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In addition, the anti-doping guidelines must be met. As an additional requirement, the IOC requires all athletes to sign a written commitment to the Olympic Charter and thus to the “peace mission of the Olympic movement”.
The IOC has set up a three-person commission headed by Vice President Nicole Hoevertsz to examine the admission requirements. Overall, the IOC recently expected around 50 Russians and 28 Belarusians to be admitted to Paris. This would mean significantly fewer athletes from both countries than at the last Summer Games.
If starting places acquired by Russians or Belarusians in qualifying competitions remain vacant due to a ban on participation, these will be distributed to other nations.
The Summer Olympics will take place in Paris from July 26 to August 11. This will be the third time that the French capital has hosted the Summer Games and the sixth time that France has hosted the event.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) review committee has released a further 17 places at the Olympic Games in Paris for athletes from Russia and Belarus. According to the IOC, eight starting places will go to Russian tennis professionals, including former US Open winner Daniil Medvedev.
The commission allocated nine additional places to Belarus. However, the IOC only listed six athletes, including two-time tennis Grand Slam winners Aryna Sabalenka and Viktoria Asarenka. Shooting (two of a possible three participants) and rowing (two of two) are also represented. The two starting places for the modern pentathlon initially remained unused.
