This is one of the controversial subjects in view of the Paris 2024 Games. The participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes, first compromised due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, was finally authorized conditionally by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in December 2023.
However, the conditions of participation established by the body are so strict that we should not expect to see a large number of Russian athletes parade, under a neutral banner, in the French capital this summer.
If the IOC does not yet know their exact number, John Coates, its vice-president, spoke on the subject in the columns of the Daily Telegraph in Sydney this Sunday.
He estimates that the number of Russian or Belarusian athletes present at the Games “could be as small as 40”, mainly due to restrictions imposed by the IOC.
Strict restrictions
As a reminder, athletes who have shown active support for the war in Ukraine, those under contract with the army or with one of the national security agencies will not be allowed to compete.
Also no more team events.
Only “neutral individual” athletes are thus concerned, if they withdraw from the qualifications of their respective disciplines.
The latter will also have to participate without flags, emblems or national anthems.
The inclusion of Russian and Belarusian athletes remains a controversial issue, with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba calling the December decision to allow them "shameful."
Some sports, such as horse riding, have announced they will not admit any athletes from both countries to compete, while the international athletics federation (World Athletics) has banned Russian and Belarusian athletes since early 2022.
Others, like swimming or tennis, will allow Russians and Belarusians to compete under IOC restrictions.