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| IOC Invites Russian and Belarusian Athletes to Compete as Neutrals at Paris Olympics |
IOC Invites Russian and Belarusian Athletes to Compete as Neutrals at Paris Olympics
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has extended invitations to 22 Russian and 17 Belarusian athletes to participate in the Paris Olympics as neutral athletes, despite some already declining the offer.
Second List of Invitees
The latest list includes athletes from tennis, shooting, and rowing, adding to the initial list published on June 15, which covered wrestling, weightlifting, cycling, and trampoline.
Athlete Responses
While 18 athletes have confirmed their participation, others remain undecided or have declined the invitation. Notable absences include Russian cyclist Aleksandr Vlasov and five Belarusian athletes.
Tennis Players Yet to Respond
Top-ranked tennis players like Daniil Medvedev, Andrey Rublev, Aryna Sabalenka, and Victoria Azarenka have not yet confirmed their participation. However, Russian Tennis Federation president Shamil Tarpischev announced that some players, including Rublev and Karen Khachanov, will not participate.
Eligibility Criteria
To compete as a "neutral individual athlete," athletes must meet their federation's qualifying criteria and pass checks for any links to the war in Ukraine or their country's military.
Neutral Participation
The IOC's decision allows athletes from Russia and Belarus to participate in the Olympics without representing their countries, following the invasion of Ukraine.
