The governing body for rowing in Russia, the Russian Rowing Federation (RFR), has publicly stated that Russian athletes will not participate in the Paris Olympic Games. This position was communicated on the federation’s official platform.
According to the federation, Russian rowers will not be able to take part in Olympic qualifying events or the Paris Games themselves. The national team’s coaching staff, after discussions with the athletes in a general assembly, decided to withdraw from both the qualifying rounds and the Olympic competition under the conditions and obligations set forth by World Rowing, the sport’s international federation. The Olympic movement, through its communications, echoed this stance.
In February 2022, the International Olympic Committee advised international sports federations to keep Russian and Belarusian competitors from participation in a broad range of events.
Later, in December 2023, the IOC announced a shift allowing Russia and Belarus to return to the Olympic arena in 2024 under a neutral status. The guidance specified that athletes should not support military operations or have ties to military organizations. Competitors were permitted to participate only in individual programs, with team events remaining off limits.
To be eligible for Olympic participation, athletes had to meet the IOC’s stated conditions.
There was historic emphasis, at the level of the international community, on ensuring respectful treatment of Russian athletes within the framework of the IOC’s guidelines and decisions.