Olympic Officials: Russian and Belarusian Neutral Athletes to Miss Paris Opening Ceremony.
“No Russian or Belarusian government or state officials will be invited to or accredited for the Olympic Games Paris 2024.”
Athletes from Russia and Belarus competing as Individual Neutral Athletes (AINs) in the Paris Olympics will not participate in the opening ceremony’s parade of delegations, announced IOC director James Macleod. However, arrangements will be made for them to experience the event. This decision mirrors the scenario from the 1992 Barcelona Games for “Independent Olympic Participants” from former Yugoslavia.
The possibility of AINs participating in the closing ceremony will be considered later. Despite the suspension of Russian and Belarusian athletes from the opening ceremony, they can still compete as neutrals, provided they don’t support the war in Ukraine.
Macleod revealed that there are currently 12 AINs with Russian passports and seven with Belarusian passports qualified for Paris 2024. The projected number of AINs from both countries likely to qualify for the Olympics is estimated to be 36 and 22, respectively.
AINs will have their own flag and anthem without lyrics, and their medals won’t contribute to the official medal table. Additionally, no symbols or identifications of Russia or Belarus will be displayed at the Paris Games, and no government officials from these countries will be invited or accredited.
“The IOC stated that there will be no display of flags, anthems, colors, or any other identifying symbols representing Russia or Belarus at any official venue or function during the Olympic Games Paris 2024.”
