In a significant turn in the world of sports, Russia and Belarus will not participate in the Paris 2024 Olympics due to a sanction imposed by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in response to the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Despite the sanction, athletes from these countries have had the opportunity to participate under strict conditions: to do so as Individual and Neutral Athletes (INA). These athletes will not be able to parade with their national delegations during the opening ceremony and must meet certain conditions, such as not having supported the invasion of Ukraine or having ties to the military.
The IOC has allowed these athletes to compete in Paris 2024 as individuals. However, the final decision to allow their participation lies with each International Federation. For example, World Athletics has denied any participation by Russian and Belarusian athletes, so there will be no representatives from these countries in the track and field competitions.
Some athletes, such as Russian swimmer Kliment Kolesnikov, a double medalist in Tokyo, have decided not to participate due to the conditions imposed by the IOC. However, Russian tennis players, like Daniil Medvedev, will be able to compete, as the tennis circuit did not interrupt their participation despite the sanction on their countries.
List of Participating Neutral Athletes:
Russia:
– Tamara Dronova (Cycling)
– Alena Ivanchenko (Cycling)
– Gleb Syritsa (Cycling)
– Anzhela Bladtceva (Gymnastics)
– Shamil Mamedov (Wrestling)
– Daniil Medvedev (Tennis)
– Roman Safiullin (Tennis)
– Ekaterina Aleksandrova (Tennis)
– Mirra Andreeva (Tennis)
– Pavel Kotov (Tennis)
– Diana Shnaider (Tennis)
– Elena Vesnina (Tennis)
– Aleksei Korovashkov (Canoeing)
– Zakhar Petrov (Canoeing)
– Olesia Romasenko (Canoeing)
– Evgenii Somov (Swimming)
Belarus:
– Hanna Tserakh (Cycling)
– Ivan Litvinovich (Gymnastics)
– Viyaleta Bardzilouskaya (Gymnastics)
– Georgiy Gurtsiev (Taekwondo)
– Siuzanna Valodzka (Weightlifting)
– Yauheni Tsikhantsou (Weightlifting)
– Abubakar Khaslakhanau (Wrestling)
– Yauheni Zalaty (Rowing)
– Tatsiana Klimovich (Rowing)
– Darya Chuprys (Shooting)
– Aliaksandra Piatrova (Shooting)
– Uladzislau Kravets (Canoeing)
– Yuliya Trushkina (Canoeing)
– Alina Zmushka (Swimming)
– Ilya Shymanovich (Swimming)
– Anastasiya Shkurdai (Swimming)
For the first time in 40 years, Russian television will not broadcast the Olympic Games. This decision is due to both the sanction and the limited representation of Russian athletes. Channel One and Russia have decided not to broadcast the event, including disciplines where Russian athletes compete. This measure harkens back to the boycott of the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, during the Cold War.
Some analysts believe that the true reason behind the boycott is financial, as the low participation of Russian athletes does not guarantee high viewership ratings. Even Match TV, the sports channel, has decided not to acquire the broadcasting rights due to high costs and the limited representation of its athletes.
This situation has been described by different journalists as “a catastrophe of national magnitude” for Russian television and its sports audience.
The Paris 2024 Olympics, which will take place from July 26 to August 11, will mark a milestone with the participation of 204 countries, excluding Russia and Belarus. This decision underscores the impact of geopolitics on international sports and poses significant challenges for athletes from these countries who seek to continue competing globally under neutral conditions.
Referrer: MiMub in Spanish
