UCI allows Russians, Belarusians to compete with neutral status from June 1

MOSCOW. May 3 (Interfax) - The International Cycling Union (UCI) has decided to allow Russians and Belarusians to compete in tournaments as neutral athletes and provided they strictly observe certain rules, the UCI press service said.

"The UCI has decided: to allow [...] Russian and Belarusian athletes to participate in events in the UCI international calendar [...] as 'neutral individual athletes' Any person wishing to obtain the status of a 'neutral individual athlete' will have to apply to the UCI according to a special procedure [...]. The possibility of participating in international competitions as a 'neutral individual athlete' will be available from June 1," the report said.

The athletes should not express active support of the Russian special operation in Ukraine in any form, the document said.

The UCI suspended Russians and Belarusians due to the situation in Ukraine on March 1, 2022. On March 28, the International Olympic Committee recommended that international federations allow Russians and Belarusians to compete in competitions on the condition that they do not support the special military operation and have no relation to military sports societies.