Countries Torn When It Comes to Allowing Russians in Olympics

Olympic committees throughout Europe are considering whether to allow Russian athletes to compete at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.

Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the International Olympic Committee recommended that Russian and Belarusian athletes be indefinitely suspended from competing in international competitions. 

Last month, the IOC reversed its recommendation after president Thomas Bach and the organization’s executive board voiced their desire to have Russian and Belarusian athletes compete in the 2024 Paris Olympics, which will run from July 24-Aug. 11. 

• The U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee believes Russian and Belarusian athletes should compete in the Games, but not under their nation’s flags or colors. 
• Other governing bodies like FIFA and UEFA have banned athletes from Russia and Belarus from competing.
• The NHL and the U.S. Open Tennis Championships have taken a different stance, allowing Russian and Belarusian athletes to participate.

Olympic committees in Europe have been torn on whether to allow the athletes, with groups from Germany, Greece, Italy, and the U.K. not providing a firm position on the issue. 

France has declined to comment on the matter, despite an alleged commitment from president Emmanuel Macron to receive Russian and Belarusian athletes with open arms. 

Invested in Europe 

Future Olympic competitions will have a presence throughout Europe after the IOC signed a joint agreement with the European Broadcasting Union and Warner Bros. Discovery.

Media

| by Owen Poindexter

Olympic Media Rights Awarded to Warner Bros. Discovery, EBU

The Olympics has secured its European broadcasters through 2032.

January 18, 2023

The deal covers all European territories from 2026 to 2032.