Russia Participates In The 2024 Paris Olympics If It Is Not Mandatory To Condemn War In Ukraine

UNSPLASH/Shin ILLUSTRATION

JAKARTA - Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko, said Russian athletes could participate in the 2024 Olympics in Paris, provided the international federation does not really have to sign any declaration condemning military operations in Ukraine.

In December 2023, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) allowed the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes at the Summer Olympics with neutral individual status and on condition that it met a number of criteria.

Athletes are required not to be affiliated with the army and not to support Russian military operations in Ukraine.

At the same time, the IOC said Tuesday that Russian and Belarusian athletes would not be asked to sign anything other than what was signed by participants from other countries.

"The Olympic games must be judged by the athletes themselves. If the IOC officially confirms the abolition of requirements requiring athletes, which are permitted by international federations, to condemn special military operations, I don't think there will be any legal barriers for athletes to participate," Chernyshenko told reporters. reported by ANTARA from Sputnik, Thursday, March 21.

According to him, the IOC has created conditions in such a way that almost no Russian athletes are allowed to participate, and there are only a few sports whose representatives are still allowed to participate.

But this must be decided by the international federation and the Russian Olympic Committee.

"If there is an opportunity to take part, then they (Russian athletes) can make it possible to participate," said Chernyshenko.

The Olympics in Paris will take place from July 26 to August 11, 2024.

A number of sports organizations around the world have banned Russian and Belarusian athletes from participating in their competitions, in response to Moscow's military operations in Ukraine, and Minsk's alleged support for the operation.

Athletes are also prohibited from competing under national flags and using national anthems at major international sporting events, including the Olympics.