The International Olympic Committee has confirmed that it will maintain its existing criteria for Russian athletes competing at the 2024 Summer Games. This position was communicated through a statement reported by RIA News.
The policy framework in place as of December 8, 2023 remains in effect and will not be substituted or altered. In addition, the IOC Executive Board is expected to review and decide on the implementation of these principles at its forthcoming meeting.
Athletes from Russia and Belarus are slated to participate under a neutral flag when they enter the Olympic venues. On March 14, the President of the Russian Olympic Committee, Stanislav Pozdnyakov, emphasized that competitors must compete without national symbols and adhere to the agreed neutral status. In line with the terms of participation, athletes are asked to denounce any stated affiliations that contradict the neutral designation and to sign related declarations as required by the IOC.
The Paris Games are scheduled to open on July 26, 2024, marking the return of the Olympics to the city after many years since its last hosting.
Since March 2022, Russian and Belarusian athletes have faced suspensions from international competition in response to actions on Ukrainian soil. The IOC has repeatedly aligned with its recommendations to exclude athletes from these countries from global events. Yet, in December 2023, a shift occurred: Russian and Belarusian athletes were allowed to participate in the 2024 Games under neutral status and in compliance with the specified conditions. This stance reflects the IOC’s ongoing effort to balance competitive opportunities with sanctions and geopolitical considerations.
Earlier in 2024, some Baltic nations publicly opposed the participation of Russian athletes in the opening ceremony, highlighting the broader political sensitivities surrounding the Games and the delicate balance the IOC seeks between sport and international diplomacy.