The IOC has published the conditions for the participation of athletes from Russia and Belarus at the Olympics in Paris

The International Olympic Committee published on March 19 the full rules for the participation of athletes from Russia and Belarus at the Olympic Games in Paris in 2024. They will not be allowed to take part in the parade at the opening ceremony of the Olympics, the medalists will play a specially written hymn without words and raise a green, neutral flag.

Representatives of national teams take part in the opening parade, the IOC explains. Athletes will be given the opportunity to “get the experience” of participating in the ceremony itself. Similar rules applied to the participants of the 1992 Olympics from Yugoslavia, according to the text on the committee’s website. It is noted that a decision on participation in the closing ceremony will be made later.

In case of victory of athletes from Russia and Belarus at the competition, a special anthem will be played and a special green-white flag with the text “Individual neutral athlete” will be raised, the text says. At the previous games, where Russian athletes were not allowed, they performed under the flag of the National Olympic Committee and a fragment of Tchaikovsky’s concerto. This practice was criticized by opponents of the participation of Russians in the games.

The IOC approved the composition of the commission approving the participation of Russians and Belarusians in the Games. It included IOC vice-president Nicole Hewertz from Aruba, former NBA player Pau Gasol and South Korean Olympic table tennis champion Yoo Seung-min.

According to the IOC, up to 54 athletes from Russia and 28 Belarusians may be selected for the Games in Paris. At the previous games in Tokyo, 330 Olympians from Russia and 104 Belarusians took part, the text notes. Sportsmen who “actively supported the war” and employees of the security forces and the army will not be allowed to participate in the Games.

• Russian and Belarusian athletes were suspended from international competitions due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. At the initial stage of the invasion, the Russian army used Belarus as a springboard for the invasion. Ukraine opposes the admission of any Russian athletes to tournaments in any status.