Explainer | How will the International Olympic Committee clear Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete at Paris 2024 Olympics?
- After initially banning Russian and Belarusian athletes, the IOC will now allow them to take part after passing a vetting process
- Among the criteria are they must not have actively supported the war in Ukraine, and must not have links to military services
Russian and Belarusian athletes who have qualified for the Paris 2024 Olympics this summer will need to undergo a vetting process by the International Olympic Committee before being invited to compete at the Games.
Why do athletes from Russia and Belarus need to be vetted?
Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the IOC, after initially recommending a ban from international competitions of athletes from Russia and ally Belarus, allowed them to qualify for the Paris Olympics.
But they will be competing as individual neutral athletes (AINs) without their flags, anthems and emblems. They will also need to pass a vetting process to make sure they meet certain IOC eligibility criteria.
What criteria must these athletes meet?
In order to be cleared to compete in Paris, Russian and Belarusian athletes must not have actively supported the war in Ukraine.
They also must not be contracted to any military or security agency. Many of the country’s sports club have direct links to the military and security services.
The athletes must also meet all anti-doping criteria and must abide by the Conditions of Participation for Paris, which contain a commitment to respect the Olympic Charter, including “the peace mission of the Olympic Movement”.
Only individual athletes can compete in Paris. Russian and Belarusian teams in team sports cannot qualify.
