The two countries have been banned from the Olympics since the Ukraine invasion in 2022, but the suspension will still allow athletes to compete as neutrals.
Belarus in Support of Russia Leads to Ban
Russia and Belarus have been banned from sending teams to the Games due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and Belarus’s support of this invasion.
UK Government Shows Support
The UK government has written to the International Olympic Committee and International Paralympic Committee presidents expressing its support for Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete as neutrals at the Paris Games.
Government Takes a Change of Mind
The government’s stance contradicts what Lucy Frazer, the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, earlier stipulated.
No Participation Declared in 2023
Last year, Frazer said, “Any plans to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to participate in Paris are not credible.”
36 Countries Supported the Ban
In addition, Frazer also chaired a summit of 36 countries that released a joint statement supporting a ban for Russian and Belarusian athletes competing in international sporting events.
Individuals Can Participate Without Flags
The IOC and IPC have allowed individuals to complete without flags, emblems or their country’s national anthem.
Country Can Send Neutral Athletes
Athletes from Russia and Belarus can compete as Individual Neutral Athletes (AIN) if they meet specific criteria set out by the IOC.
Athletes Cannot Have Supported the Invasion
The criteria also state that the athlete must not have publicly supported the invasion of Ukraine or been linked to the military, and athletes cannot participate in team events.
UK Government Satisfied With New Conditions
The UK government is satisfied with the new regulations and neutrality conditions that the IOC and the IPC have laid out.
Russia Usually Medal Winning Front Runner
Russia has some of the strongest athletes and has performed well in past Olympic games, winning numerous medals.
Half the Athletes Denied the Olympic Invite
The IOC invited 36 Russian and 24 Belarusian athletes to the Paris Games, but only 15 Russians and 17 Belarusians have accepted.
2020 Shows a Vast Difference in Participants
In contrast to the 2020 Tokyo Games, Russia had 336 athletes, and Belarus had 101, noting the reduction in participants.
Russia Will Not Boycott the Games
Russia did not boycott the Games, but many athletes have turned down the invitations, citing the conditions as unfavourable.
Weightlifters Pull Out Based on Conditions
The weightlifting division had 10 Russian athletes decline the invitation based on the “unsportsmanlike selection principle.”
Judo Federation Cite” Humiliating” Terms
The judo federation also mentioned that four athletes would decline the invitation due to “humiliating conditions.”
Different Awards Ceremony on the Cards
If the Russian or Belarusian athletes who have accepted to compete in the Games win a medal, they will attend a different awards ceremony and will not be involved in the opening ceremony.
New Flag and Anthem Prepped for Ain Athletes
A teal flag has been designed to be raised at a medal ceremony, and the IOC has created an independent anthem without lyrics for the ceremony.
Ukraine President Is Not Happy With Inclusion
The participation of those athletes has already significantly been criticised, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky showing his disdain.
Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / Hethers.