With 100 days to go until the Paris Olympics, the participation of Russian athletes remains uncertain due to the conditions set by the International Olympic Committee following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. It will ultimately be up to individual athletes to decide whether to compete.
The IOC is expecting between 36 to 54 Russian athletes to qualify for the Olympics, but they will have to compete as “neutral athletes” without using their country’s flag, anthem, or participating in team sports like football and basketball. Athletes with military ties or supportive views of the war will be banned.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has questioned the rules and has asked for recommendations from the Russian Olympic Committee and Sports Ministry on whether the country should participate in Paris.
The ROC President has criticized the IOC’s criteria for athletes and accused them of carrying out political agendas to isolate Russian sport, while the Sports Minister believes Russia should not boycott the Olympics.
Russia sent 335 athletes to the previous Olympics in Tokyo, competing without national symbols due to a doping scandal. Ukraine initially opposed Russian participation in Paris but has since eased its stance.
The IOC President stated that threats of boycotts from both countries are no longer a concern, and the discussions are considered resolved for now.
A neutral Russian delegation would likely consist of athletes from combat sports and top tennis players like Daniil Medvedev, who has expressed his intention to compete in Paris.
Ukrainian activists are monitoring Russian athletes’ social media activity for any violations of IOC rules of neutrality. Some Russian athletes have faced consequences for their support of the war in Ukraine.
Judo and wrestling are estimated to have significant Russian participation in Paris, but some coaches and officials have refused to send athletes to qualifiers in protest.
Swimming and gymnastics have opened applications for neutral athletes, with several Belarusian athletes approved but uncertainty surrounding Russian athletes.
Regardless of Moscow’s decision, Russian track and field athletes will not be able to compete in Olympic events due to World Athletics’ ban on Russian and Belarusian athletes.
