James McLeod, director of the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) department for relations with national Olympic committees (NOCs), said neutral athletes will not attend the opening ceremony of the Games in Paris.
“Neutral athletes will not be able to participate in the delegation parade as they are neutral, but they will be given the opportunity to experience this event. This is the same principle under which Yugoslavia athletes participated in the opening ceremony in 1992 with neutral status. A decision on the closing ceremony will be made at a later date,” McLeod said at a press conference.
At the end of February 2022, the International Olympic Committee issued a call to international sports federations and recommended that Russian and Belarusian athletes not be allowed to participate in any competitions. However, in December, the IOC allowed Russia and Belarus to participate in the 2024 Olympics with neutral status. It was also noted that they should not support the SVO or have connections with military organizations. Athletes will only be able to perform in individual programs.
Previously IOC deprived Russia is eligible to participate in the medal tally of the Games in Paris.