Ukraine bans its athletes from participating in tournaments that also involve Russian and Belarusian citizens

MOSCOW. March 31 (Interfax) - The Ukrainian government will require the country's athletes to boycott qualifying events for the 2024 Olympic Games if Russian and Belarusian athletes also compete in these tournaments.

This decision was made in response to new rules adopted by the International Olympic Committee that allow athletes from Russia and Belarus to take part in competitions in neutral status, Ukrainian media said, citing information circulated during the national telethon on Friday morning.

The government's decision was adopted following a proposal from Vadim Guttsait, Ukraine's youth and sports minister and president of the National Olympic Committee, government minister Oleg Nemchinov said.

"At a meeting of the government, a protocol decision was adopted on Vadim Guttsait's proposal that we take part in qualifying competitions only where there are no Russians. Participation outside these criteria may serve as grounds for depriving federations of their national status," Nemchinov said.