Thomas Weikert, who leads the German Olympic Sports Confederation, made clear that Germany would not join a boycott of the Paris 2024 Games even if Russian athletes were permitted to take part. He reiterated a firm stance: the federation cannot currently envision Russian and Belarusian competitors appearing at the Games under the current conditions. Yet he left room for flexibility should the International Olympic Committee decide to alter its stance, noting that any participation by athletes from those nations would need to be accompanied by strict prerequisites and safeguards.
Weikert emphasized that Germany does not want to see Russians regain the chance to compete in Paris, but he acknowledged that final decisions rest with the IOC. He suggested that the IOC might opt for a different course of action, one that would require careful conditions tied to the involvement of athletes from Russia and Belarus. The federation, he implied, subscribes to a conservative approach while staying attentive to the evolving international sports landscape.
As the situation stands, the IOC Executive Committee was scheduled to meet in Lausanne, Switzerland on March 28. The outcomes of that meeting were expected to influence how Russian and Belarusian athletes could participate, potentially under a neutral status that would separate political considerations from athletic competition.
Observers have noted the delicate balance facing national federations when Olympic policy intersects with broader geopolitical issues. Russian sports commentators have weighed in on the potential for a forthcoming decision, with some suggesting that the IOC might not grant the requested concessions, while others predict a carefully negotiated compromise. In any case, the discussions reflect the ongoing tension between sanctions and the desire to allow athletes to compete on neutral grounds if allowed by the governing bodies.
Overall, the debate centers on whether Paris 2024 can proceed with a broader participation that includes athletes from Russia and Belarus, and what form such participation would take. The next steps will depend on the IOC’s final ruling, which will shape the preparation and eligibility criteria for athletes from those countries and determine how national federations, including Germany’s, respond in the weeks ahead.