The International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced that Russian and Belarusian athletes will not be participating in the taekwondo event at the Paris Olympics. This decision was welcomed by Ukraine’s Sports Minister Matvii Bidnyi, who expressed gratitude for the collaborative efforts that led to this outcome. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the IOC initially banned athletes from both countries from world sports but later allowed them to compete under strict conditions as neutral participants. The number of Russian and Belarusian athletes expected to participate in the Paris Games has decreased significantly from the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.
The IOC has adjusted its regulations to accommodate the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes in various sports, with the exclusion of track and field events which have been banned by World Athletics. Some sports have reinstated athletes so late that their presence in the Games remains uncertain. Russian Tennis Federation chief Shamil Tarpishev confirmed that certain Russian tennis players, including Andrei Rublev, Karen Khachanov, and Liudmila Samsonova, will not be competing in the Olympics. Yuliya Efimova, a Russian swimmer with three Olympic breaststroke medals, has been granted neutral status for the Games but is facing challenges in obtaining a visa to travel to France.
Despite Moscow’s decision not to boycott the Paris Games, some Russian athletes may choose not to participate, such as the gymnasts who have announced their refusal to compete. Neutral athletes will not be part of the opening ceremony on the Seine and will not appear in the official medal table. The IOC has provided dedicated flags and anthems to these athletes, denoted by the letters “AIN” on an apple-green background. A panel has been established to review the eligibility of individual neutral athletes participating in the Games, utilizing information from official sources in Russia and Belarus.
The absence of Russian and Belarusian athletes in the taekwondo event at the Paris Olympics has been confirmed, with Ukraine’s Sports Minister expressing gratitude for the collaboration that led to this decision. The IOC initially banned athletes from both countries following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine but later allowed them to participate as neutral athletes under strict conditions. The reduction in the number of Russian and Belarusian athletes expected to participate in the Paris Games is significant compared to the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. Some sports, such as track and field, have banned all Russian and Belarusian athletes, while others have reinstated participation at a late stage.
The IOC has made adjustments to its regulations to enable the inclusion of Russian and Belarusian athletes in various sports, with the exception of track and field events which have been banned by World Athletics. Uncertainty remains regarding the participation of athletes reinstated in certain sports, such as tennis, where athletes like Andrei Rublev, Karen Khachanov, and Liudmila Samsonova will not be competing in the Olympics. Russian swimmer Yuliya Efimova, who has secured neutral status for the Games, is facing challenges in securing a visa to participate. Despite Russia’s decision not to boycott the Paris Games, certain athletes may choose not to compete, as seen with Russian gymnasts who have declared their refusal to participate.
Neutral athletes at the Paris Olympics will not be featured in the opening ceremony on the Seine and will not appear in the official medal table. The IOC has provided dedicated flags and anthems for these athletes, designated by the letters “AIN” on an apple-green background. A panel has been established to review the eligibility of individual neutral athletes participating in the Games, utilizing information from official sources in Russia and Belarus. The situation surrounding the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes in the Paris Games continues to evolve, with ongoing updates from the IOC as final qualifying results are submitted.
