UK Government Accepts Russian and Belarusian Athletes Can Compete at 2024 Olympics

The British government has faced criticism after acknowledging that Russian and Belarusian athletes can participate in the 2024 Olympics in Paris under a neutral flag. This comes despite the UK previously leading a coalition of 36 countries calling for a ban on the participation of these athletes due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer stated that the athletes will be subject to the "strictest neutrality conditions possible" set by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and International Paralympic Committee (IPC). "The government's position has been to oppose Russian and Belarusian state participation, not a complete ban on neutral athletes," Frazer said. The government dismissed claims it altered its stance due to an IOC threat to stop the UK from hosting Olympic qualifying events.

After two years of lobbying by the UK and other countries, the IOC has implemented neutrality rules that the government now considers an "accepted baseline." These include banning athletes with links to the military or who have expressed support for the war. The IOC expects 36 to 54 Russian athletes to compete in Paris as "Individual Neutral Athletes," with restrictions on team events, national colors, flags, and medal tallies.

Why this matters: The decision highlights the ongoing debate and challenges in balancing sports and politics amid the war in Ukraine. It also underscores the IOC's stance on allowing athletes to compete based on individual merits rather than nationality, while attempting to maintain neutrality.

The UK government says its focus now is on ensuring the IOC's neutrality rules are "stringently enforced" as long as the war in Ukraine continues. "The number of athletes from Russia and Belarus expected to participate is in the tens, not hundreds," Frazer noted. The government stressed that its efforts have been focused on urging Olympic organizers to apply the strictest possible conditions, which they believe have now been achieved.

Key Takeaways

• UK govt criticized for allowing Russian/Belarusian athletes at 2024 Olympics
• Athletes to compete under "strictest neutrality conditions" set by IOC/IPC
• UK dismissed claims it altered stance due to IOC threat to stop hosting qualifiers
• IOC expects 36-54 Russian athletes to compete as "Individual Neutral Athletes"
• UK govt says focus is on ensuring IOC's neutrality rules are "stringently enforced"