"Athletes from Russia and Belarus had to be approved as neutrals who did not support the war for individual events at the 2024 Paris Olympics and February's Milano Cortina Winter Olympics. A total of 32 athletes from the two countries competed in Paris, to win five medals combined, including one gold in trampoline by an athlete from Belarus."
"The IOC reaffirms that athletes' participation in international competition should not be limited by the actions of their governments, including involvement in a war or conflict, the Olympic body said on Thursday."
"One barrier to Russia's return is an ongoing World Anti-Doping Agency investigation into recent reports implicating Russian anti-doping agency official Veronika Loginova. The IOC said its executive board noted with concern the recent information being looked at by WADA, without naming Loginova."
The International Olympic Committee has advised sporting bodies to permit Belarusian athletes to compete under their full national identity without undergoing neutral status vetting. This guidance represents a shift from the 2024 Paris and Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, where athletes from Russia and Belarus required approval as neutrals who opposed the war. While this directive currently applies only to Belarus, it suggests movement toward resolving Russia's Olympic suspension. Russia remains suspended since October 2023 due to incorporating regional sports bodies in illegally occupied eastern Ukraine. A World Anti-Doping Agency investigation into Russian anti-doping officials presents an ongoing barrier to Russia's return. The IOC maintains that athletes' participation should not be restricted by government actions, including war involvement. The qualification period for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics begins this summer.
#olympic-eligibility #belarus-athletes #russia-suspension #neutral-status #international-sports-governance
Read at www.aljazeera.com
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