Russian athletes can participate in 2024 Paris Olympics - deputy PM
ST. PETERSBURG. June 6 (Interfax) - Russian athletes will be able to take part in the Olympic Games in Paris without fear that they could violate Russian laws, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko told Interfax on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, adding that they have received 49 licenses from seven sports to date, but their number may change.
"Russian sports federations made their own decisions on whether to participate in the games and on the selection process for them. As a result, our and Belarusian athletes will be able to compete at the Olympics individually or in neutral status," Chernyshenko said when asked whether Russian athletes would be able to compete at the Paris Olympics without fearing that they could violate Russian laws.
Despite all obstacles, Russian athletes have already received 49 Olympic licenses from seven sports, such as road cycling, taekwondo, tennis, trampoline gymnastics, canoeing, wrestling and judo, he said.
"The distribution of tennis licenses will be concluded on June 10. As a result, their number that our athletes may receive may either increase or decline," Chernyshenko said.
In March, the director of the International Olympic Committee department for relations with national Olympic committees, James Macleod, said that the IOC would not ask Russian neutral athletes to sign any additional documents, including those condemning the special military operation.
In December 2023, the IOC allowed Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete in the Summer Olympics in Paris in 2024. Athletes with Russian and Belarusian passports can only perform as individual neutral athletes, not as a team, the criteria said. Athletes and support personnel who actively express their support for the special operation in Ukraine or are members of their countries' armed or security forces will be banned from the Olympic Games.
Use of flags, anthems and any other identifiers of Russia or Belarus will also be prohibited, and officials from these countries will not be allowed to travel to the Olympics.
In addition, athletes will be required to undergo anti-doping tests and sign the updated terms of participation, which include a promise to respect the Olympic Charter.
