The Executive Council of the International Olympic Committee no longer recommends introducing any restrictions on the participation of Belarusian athletes, including teams, in competitions held by international sports federations and organizers of international tournaments. This was announced in the official IOC decision published on May 7.
We are talking about recommendations dated February 28, 2022 and March 28, 2023, which related to the participation of Belarusian athletes, in particular restrictions, including neutral status and a ban on symbols.
The committee explained that the decision was made against the backdrop of a difficult geopolitical situation in the world, an increase in the number of conflicts and general instability.
“The IOC affirms that the participation of athletes in international competition should not be limited by the actions of their governments, including participation in war or conflict,” the release said.
The IOC also emphasized the right of athletes to participate in competitions without political interference or pressure from states.
The organization noted that Belarusian athletes have already participated in international competitions, in particular at the Olympics in Paris in 2024, as individual neutral athletes, without incident.
At the same time, the IOC explained that this is not an order or a mandatory norm, but a change in political position, that is, it is a recommendation of the committee. They also emphasized that this decision does not apply to athletes from the aggressor country of the Russian Federation. The reason given is the different status of national Olympic committees: the Belarusian NOC remains recognized, while the Russian NOC is still under sanctions.
