14 Russian and 11 Belarusian athletes have been given the green light to participate in the summer Olympics in Paris. This is announced by the International Olympic Committee, IOC.
More approved athletes from the two countries are expected to follow. The IOC has, in its initial review of the sports of cycling, gymnastics, weightlifting, taekwondo, and wrestling, determined which Russians and Belarusians will be allowed to participate.
Among the athletes who will be competing under a neutral flag is the reigning Olympic champion in diving (trampoline), Belarusian Ivan Litvinovich.
Russia and Belarus are not allowed to participate in the Olympics due to the aggressive war against Ukraine. However, certain individual athletes are allowed to participate under a neutral flag. Teams are excluded. However, no Russians will be competing in athletics.
The Olympics in Paris will open on 26 July.