As Russia and Belarus’ invasion of Ukraine continues, their sports programs continue to face the consequences.
Sir Craig Reedie, a key figure on the International Olympic Committee, said that athletes from the two countries will likely not be allowed to compete in qualifying events for the 2024 Paris Olympics — effectively barring them from the competition before it begins.
In February, the IOC recommended that Russian and Belarusian athletes indefinitely be prevented from competing in international competition.
Reedie was president of the World Anti-Doping Agency in 2016 when it investigated a Russian state-sponsored doping program for Olympic competition.
The Olympics isn’t the only competition Russian and Belarusian athletes are missing.
Wimbledon played its annual tournament without players from those countries, and soccer federations FIFA and UEFA have instituted similar bans to that of the IOC.
![Feb 15, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team United States forward Matthew Tkachuk (19) and Team Canada forward brandon Hagel (38) fight in the first period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at the Bell Centre.](https://frontofficesports.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/USATSI_25429594_168416385_lowres-e1739674194139.jpg?quality=100&w=1024)
