The IOC and French president Emmanuel Macron open the door for Russian athletes to compete at Paris 20204 as neutrals after Olympics chiefs suggested sports activities to bar them and Belarusians from collaborating following the invasion of Ukraine
- The IOC and French president Emmanuel Macron need Russians to competeÂ
- There had been calls to exclude Russians and Belarusians from 2024 Paris OlympicsÂ
- But they seem to have softened their stance, and will settle for impartial athletesÂ
The International Olympic Committee and French president Emmanuel Macron have opened the door for Russian athletes to compete as neutrals at Paris 2024.Â
Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine earlier this 12 months, the IOC suggested Olympic sports activities to bar Russians and Belarusians from collaborating.Â
However, the IOC now seem to have softened their stance following a summit in Lausanne on Friday, which was controversially attended by Russia’s Olympic chief Stanislav Pozdnyakov.Â
French president Emmanuel Macron stated Russian athletes might compete as neutrals in Paris
The IOC stated individuals at the assembly had ‘explored different ways as to how to overcome the extremely grave dilemma’ of the present ban on athletes from Russia and Belarus.Â
President Macron, whose nation is internet hosting the Games, added: ‘Sport should not be politicised.Â
These major events are meant to allow athletes from all countries, sometimes including countries at war, to bring sport to life.’
Russia’s Olympic chief Stanislav Pozdnyakov controversially attended a summit about it
Paris is internet hosting the Olympics in 2024, a century after the final time the French capital held the Games.
In the 2020 Olympics held in Japan final summer time, Russian athletes competed as Russian Olympic Athletes, with out the use of their nationwide flag or nationwide anthem.
They completed fifth in the medal desk with 20 golds in Tokyo, behind Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Japan, China, and leaders United States of America. Â
Paris is internet hosting the 2024 Olympics a century after the final time the French capital held them
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