International federations have urged the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to permit neutral athletes from Russia to compete in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. This request was conveyed in an official press release issued by the organizations involved. The essence of the appeal is to allow qualified Russian athletes to participate under a neutral flag, provided they meet all criteria set by the IOC and Paris 2024 organizers, without reflecting any national symbols or national team affiliation. This stance reflects broader debates about eligibility, neutrality, and the evolving standards governing Olympic participation in the wake of geopolitical tensions influencing sport.
Representatives of international summer sport federations communicated to the IOC that neutral status should be available to athletes who have already qualified or who remain eligible to qualify for Paris 2024. They emphasized the need for clarity on Olympic qualification procedures that affect all athletes. The federations also pressed for a timely decision so that athletes and national federations can plan their competitive calendars with a clear understanding of the rules, timelines, and implications for eligibility. This call underscores the desire for a transparent framework that balances fair competition with considerations of neutrality and sanctioning bodies’ authority.
In late February 2022, the IOC issued guidance to international sports federations recommending that athletes from Russia and Belarus be excluded from participation in their events. The aim, as stated by the IOC at that time, was to uphold the integrity of competition and to respond to the international crisis pressures affecting eligibility and performance environments. The recommendation set a clear expectation that athletes from these nations would not take part in IOC-sanctioned events until further notice or policy adjustment by the IOC and the relevant sport federations.
During the IOC Executive Committee meeting held on March 28, 2023, a proposal emerged to allow Russians to retain neutral status if they are not actively involved in supporting or endorsing military operations. The discussions highlighted the IOC’s attempt to strike a balance between maintaining competitive fairness and recognizing the complexities of national affiliation amid conflict. As of that meeting, a final determination on granting admission to the Games remained pending, with Paris 2024 scheduled to begin in July. The evolving policy landscape reflects ongoing negotiations among the IOC, international federations, athletes, and broader international audiences about how neutrality should be interpreted in the context of major global events like the Olympic Games.
Past reporting noted cases where neutral status was not granted due to conduct that conflicted with the values and rules of participation. For example, a Russian athlete was denied neutral status after liking a social media post associated with a symbol linked to political messaging. This example illustrates the kinds of criteria and accountability standards that accompany neutrality determinations, including checks on social media activity and public statements to ensure alignment with the Olympic charter and governing bodies’ policies.