The International Olympic Committee (IOC) made an announcement on Tuesday, stating that athletes from Russia and Belarus will not be permitted to participate in the opening ceremonies of the Paris Olympics this summer. This decision comes as organizers take a stand against countries that are deemed responsible for the war in Ukraine.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) confirmed that the sanctions against the Russian and Belarusian states and governments responsible for the war would still be in effect for the Olympic Games Paris 2024.
Athletes from Russia and Belarus will retain the opportunity to participate in individual events as “Individual Neutral Athletes” (AINs). However, the ban on teams, flags, and national anthems from both countries will still be enforced.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) clarified in a statement that AINs, being individual athletes, will not take part in the parade of delegations (teams) during the Opening Ceremony.
The opening ceremony for Paris 2024 is set to occur on Friday, July 26, with a unique twist – a parade of boats on the scenic River Seine. As for the closing ceremony, the participation of AINs is yet to be determined.
“The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has stated that the decision on whether Assistant International Navigators (AINs) will participate in the Closing Ceremony will be made later. The IOC emphasizes that it is not the teams that enter the Closing Ceremony, but all the athletes together.”
On February 24, 2022, Russia initiated its invasion of Ukraine, with significant support from Belarus’ military.
A total of 12 athletes holding Russian passports and seven athletes holding Belarusian passports have already secured their spots for the upcoming Paris games.
In its stance against the politicization of sport, the IOC emphasized its position on Tuesday and quoted the Fundamental Principle of the Olympic Charter to assert that Russia is in violation.
The Olympic Charter states that sports organizations within the Olympic Movement should apply political neutrality, acknowledging that sport exists within the context of society.
According to the charter, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has a clear mission: to promote Olympism globally and take the lead in the Olympic Movement. The IOC aims to prevent any form of political or commercial exploitation of sport and athletes.
The IOC criticized Russia for arranging its own games, which are scheduled to take place later this year.
On Tuesday, the organization criticized the Russian government’s plan to host sports events that are solely driven by political motives.
The inaugural edition of the ‘Summer Friendship Games’ is set to take place in Moscow and Ekaterinburg, Russia, in September 2024, followed by the ‘Winter Friendship Games’ in Sochi, Russia, in 2026.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has expressed its concern over the clear political agenda behind certain actions, accusing them of intentionally bypassing sports organizations within their respective countries. The IOC asserts that this not only goes against the principles outlined in the Olympic Charter but also violates various United Nations resolutions.
