U.S. not against Russians, Belarusians competing in 2024 Olympics in neutral status

MINSK. Dec 12 (Interfax) - The United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) has spoken in favor of granting Belarusian and Russian athletes access to compete in the Olympics in Paris, the Belarusian Olympic Committee said on Monday.

"The United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee supports the idea of granting Russian and Belarusian athletes access to the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris on condition that they not compete under their countries' flags or in their colors, Susanne Lyons, board chair of the USOPC, said," the Belarusian National Olympic Committee said in a report.

The International Olympic Committee's summit last week said Russians and Belarusians could be allowed to compete in tournaments in Asia with the observance of all restrictions. The initiative was voiced by the Olympic Council of Asia and was supported by representatives of all Olympic Committees of the countries of Europe and Africa.