Athletes from Russia and Belarus WILL be allowed to compete at the Paris 2024 Olympics… but NOT if they ‘actively support the war in Ukraine’

Athletes from Russia and Belarus may participate as neutral athletes in the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

However, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) confirmed that athletes who “actively support the war in Ukraine” will not be allowed to participate.

No Belarusian or Russian officials are allowed to be present.

The athletes were initially banned from competing internationally after Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022.

They will only be able to participate in individual sports, with the exception of team sports where they usually represent their country.

The IOC statement read: 'The protection of the rights of individual athletes to participate in competitions despite the suspension of their National Olympic Committee (NOC) is a well-established practice, which respects human rights, and has been implemented in a number of suspended NOCs. during the last Olympic Games.'

No flags, colors or anthems representing Russia or Belarus are allowed.

The Russian Olympic Committee was previously suspended by the IOC in 2017 over the state-sponsored doping scandal, before that ban was lifted after the 2018 Winter Olympics.

They avoided a ban after their massive invasion of Ukraine began last year, but the IOC advised Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials not to participate in international competitions.

However, in March the IOC told sports federations to allow athletes from those countries to compete as neutrals again, opening the door for them to take their place at Paris 2024.

Ukraine has threatened to boycott the Olympics if a complete ban on Russians and Belarusians is not enforced.

The IOC stated that of the 4,600 athletes who have earned their place at the Paris Olympics so far, only eight are Russian and three Belarusian.

More to follow.