Russian athletes won't sign political declarations to be admitted to int'l competitions - sports minister

MOSCOW. July 19 (Interfax) - Russian athletes will not participate in international competitions where they have to sign declarations denouncing Russia's policies and the special military operation in Ukraine, Russian Sports Minister Oleg Matytsin said during a government Q&A session at the State Duma.

"There's a red line, they won't sign any declarations. Our athletes won't participate in international competitions on these conditions," Matytsin said.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) earlier allowed for the possibility that Russians and Belarusians may be admitted to international competitions as individual neutral athletes provided that they do not support Russia's special military operation in Ukraine. Final decisions on the matter would rest with international sports federations.

The IOC has not yet decided whether to admit Russians to the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. As reported, the IOC will not give invitations for the Olympics to Russia, Belarus, or Guatemala.