IOC recommends sports federations not allow Russians, Belarusians to participate in competitions

MOSCOW. Feb 28 (Interfax) - The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has recommended that international sports federations not allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to participate in competitions, the IOC press service said.

"In order to protect the integrity of global sports competitions and for the safety of all the participants, the IOC EB recommends that International Sports Federations and sports event organizers not invite, or allow the participation of, Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials in international competitions," the report said.

"Wherever this is not possible on short notice for organizational or legal reasons, the IOC EB [Executive Board] strongly urges International Sports Federations and organizers of sports events worldwide to do everything in their power to ensure that no athlete or sports official from Russia or Belarus be allowed to take part under the name of Russia or Belarus.

"Russian or Belarusian nationals, be it as individuals or teams, should be accepted only as neutral athletes or neutral teams. No national symbols, colors, flags or anthems should be displayed," the IOC said in its statement.

"In this context, the IOC EB considered in particular the upcoming Paralympic Winter Games Beijing 2022 and reiterated its full support for the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and the Games," the press service said.