Russian athletes could compete in Paris Olympics even if war in Ukraine continues | Olympic Games in Paris 2024

Russian athletes have been offered an opportunity to compete in the Paris 2024 Games even if the war in Ukraine rages on for another 18 months. It comes after a proposal by the Olympic Council of Asia to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete in its qualifying competitions for 2024 – although they are still banned from most sports.

The International Olympic Committee will now study the OCA’s plan in the coming weeks, although it is widely expected to be approved. The decision is likely to be controversial, but the IOC has also made it clear that the sporting sanctions against Russia and Belarus will remain in place.

This means neither is able to host international events – while Russian and Belarusian athletes are banned from wearing their country’s colors or playing their anthems when competing in international competitions. Russian athletes who openly support the war in Ukraine will also be denied entry.

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In a statement accepted by the IOC, at its 11th Olympic Summit in Lausanne, there was an “intense debate” about the participation of athletes from Russia and Belarus in international competitions. However, she stressed that the sport should remain a place where athletes from many different countries and political systems could come together.

This view was taken by France’s President Emmanuel Macron, who said: “Sport should not be politicized. These major events are designed to allow athletes from all countries, sometimes war-torn countries, to bring the sport to life. Finding avenues of conversation through sport where you can no longer talk to each other – I think that should be preserved.”

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The move was praised by the IOC Athletes’ Commission. It welcomed “exploration of the initiative as a way to fulfill the Olympic mission of uniting athletes from around the world in peaceful competition, while noting that there are differing views within the athlete community.”