IOC urges sports to let Belarus athletes compete again without vetting as neutrals

TL;DR

The IOC has recommended that Belarus athletes compete under their national identity without neutral status vetting. This move signals a potential shift toward easing restrictions on Russian athletes amid ongoing investigations into doping practices.

Key points

IOC recommends Belarus athletes compete under national identity
No vetting for neutral status required for Belarus athletes
Russian athletes remain suspended amid doping investigations
IOC emphasizes athletes shouldn't be punished for government actions
Qualification for 2028 Olympics starts this summer

Mentioned in this story

International Olympic Committee

World Anti-Doping Agency2024 Summer Olympics2028 Los Angeles Olympics

FILE - Ivan Litvinovich of the Individual Neutral Athletes celebrates after winning the gold medal during the men's trampoline finals in Bercy Arena at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS) LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) — Athletes from Belarus should once again compete with their full national identity and not be vetted for neutral status, the International Olympic Committee said on Thursday. Though the advice to sports governing bodies does not yet apply also to Russia, it seemed to point toward being closer to ending Russia’s isolation in Olympic circles during its war on Ukraine. One barrier to Russia’s return is an ongoing World Anti-Doping Agency investigation into recent reports implicating Russian anti-doping agency official Veronika Loginova. The IOC said its executive board noted “with concern the recent information” being looked at by WADA, without naming Loginova. Athletes from Russia and Belarus had to be approved as neutrals who did not support the war for individual events at the 2024 Paris Olympics and February's Milan Cortina Winter Olympics. A total of 32 athletes competed in Paris, combining to win five medals including one gold in trampoline by an athlete from Belarus. “The IOC reaffirms that athletes’ participation in international competition should not be limited by the actions of their governments, including involvement in a war or conflict,” the Olympic body said. The IOC noted the qualification period for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics “starts this summer.” The Russian Olympic Committee has been suspended by the IOC since October 2023 for incorporating regional sports bodies in illegally occupied eastern Ukraine. “Whilst the ROC has held constructive exchanges with the IOC on its suspension,” the IOC said, “it remains suspended while the IOC Legal Affairs Commission continues to review the matter.” \\\_ AP Winter Olympics at

Q&A

Why are Belarus athletes allowed to compete without vetting?

The IOC believes that athletes' participation should not be restricted by their governments' actions, including involvement in conflicts.

What is the current status of Russian athletes in the Olympics?

Russian athletes remain suspended from international competition while the IOC reviews ongoing doping investigations.

When does the qualification period for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics start?

The qualification period for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics begins this summer.

IOC urges sports to let Belarus athletes compete again without vetting as neutrals

TL;DR

Key points

Q&A

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