IOC President Comments on G7 Stance on Russian and Belarusian Athletes
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) president discussed the positions voiced by the leaders of the G7 nations regarding the presence of Russian and Belarusian athletes in international competition. The G7 leaders had expressed support for allowing such athletes to participate, but only as individuals who compete under a neutral flag rather than as official representatives of their countries.
The IOC welcomed the G7 emphasis on protecting the autonomy of sport and reiterated its recommendation that athletes bearing Russian or Belarusian passports take part strictly as neutral competitors. The IOC noted that this approach aligns with broader efforts to preserve fairness while maintaining sport’s independence from political considerations.
The G7 summit, involving the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, Germany, Italy, France, and Canada, took place in Japan from May 19 to May 21. The gathering focused on coordinating responses to ongoing geopolitical events and the impact on international sport and competition governance.
Historically, the IOC advised international federations at the end of February 2022 to exclude Russian and Belarusian athletes from most competitions. In the wake of those recommendations, several international events scheduled to occur in Russia were either postponed or canceled, reflecting the broader discipline of sport in response to global developments.
During an IOC executive committee meeting on March 28, it was suggested that Russians could compete with neutral status provided individual athletes did not actively support hostilities. It was also clarified that athletes serving in law enforcement or armed forces would face restrictions in participating in certain events.
Commentary from Veronika Stepanova, a former Olympic cross-country skiing champion, reflected the ongoing discussions about whether Russian athletes should be recognized as representatives of their country, given the current international context. The exchange underscored the importance of neutral participation rules and the evolving governance of sport in relation to geopolitical realities.
Overall, the key takeaway is that the IOC continues to support athlete autonomy and neutral status for Russian and Belarusian competitors, while balancing safety, fairness, and international expectations in a rapidly changing landscape.