Olympic chiefs introduced Tuesday that Russian and Belarusian athletes competing on this summer season’s Paris Video games below a impartial flag won’t be able to participate within the opening ceremony. Particular person Impartial Athletes (AINs) from both nation “is not going to take part within the parade of delegations and groups through the opening ceremony since they’re particular person athletes”, IOC director James Macleod mentioned after an govt board assembly of the Worldwide Olympic Committee in Lausanne. “However a chance shall be offered to them to expertise the occasion,” added Macleod. The AINs shall be on web site, he mentioned, however not included as passengers on the boat parade on the River Seine on July 26.
Macleod mentioned the state of affairs mirrored that on the 1992 Barcelona Video games for “Impartial Olympic Members” from former Yugoslavia.
“The choice relating to the participation of AINs within the closing ceremony shall be taken at a later stage, taking into account that it’s not groups that enter the closing ceremony, however all athletes collectively collectively.”
Athletes from each Russia and Belarus had already been banned from attending the opening ceremony of the Paralympics, beginning in Paris on August 28, a little bit greater than two weeks after the Olympics end.
The IOC in December suspended Russia from the 2024 Video games, however gave the inexperienced mild for Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete as neutrals so long as they don’t actively assist the battle on Ukraine.
Athletes from Russia and Belarus have confronted sanctions from a large number of sports activities since Moscow launched its assault on Ukraine in February 2022.
Over the previous yr a variety of Olympic sports activities have eased restrictions, permitting athletes from each international locations to return to competitors below sure circumstances.
Nevertheless, Russians and Belarusians have remained banned from athletics.
Macleod added that there are presently 12 AINs with a Russian passport and 7 AINs with a Belarusian passport who’ve certified for Paris 2024, out of the 6,000 quota locations which have already been awarded for the Olympic Video games Paris 2024.
It’s presently projected that “below the almost definitely state of affairs, 36 AINs with a Russian passport and 22 AINs with a Belarusian passport will qualify for the Olympic Video games”.
The utmost quantity, which Macleod mentioned was unlikely to be reached, could be 55 and 28 respectively.
Some 330 Russian athletes and 104 from Belarus took half within the Covid-delayed Tokyo Video games.
The IOC mentioned that AINs would have their very own flag and a lyric-less anthem. Medals gained by the AINs is not going to be displayed within the total medal desk.
“No flag, anthem, colors or some other identifications in any respect of Russia or Belarus shall be displayed on the Olympic Video games Paris 2024 in any official venue or any official perform,” the IOC mentioned.
“No Russian or Belarusian authorities or state officers shall be invited to or accredited for the Olympic Video games Paris 2024.”
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