• Loading stock data...
Thursday, December 12, 2024

Hardly Any Russians Are Set to Compete at the Paris Olympics

  • Athletes from Russia and Belarus have to compete as “Individual Neutral Athletes” in Paris.
  • The IOC banned those two countries after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

Chafing under what they say is an onerous vetting process, hardly any Russian athletes will be competing at this summer’s Olympics, which are set to open in Paris in just over two weeks. 

Only 16 Russian athletes are currently scheduled to participate in the Summer Games, according to Reuters.

More Russian athletes than that won gold medals in Tokyo three years ago, when 335 athletes competed under the flag of the Russian Olympic Committee.

Since 2016, Russian athletes have been under a partial Olympic ban due to the country’s state-sponsored doping scheme. This year’s ban is about the country’s invasion of Ukraine.

Athletes from Russia—and Belarus, which has allied itself with Russia in the Ukraine war—have to be cleared by an International Olympic Committee board to compete as “Individual Neutral Athletes” at this summer’s Olympics.

In March, the IOC established the board to vet every qualified Russian and Belarusian athlete. To be cleared to compete, the athletes cannot:

  • “actively support the war” in Ukraine
  • be “contracted to the Russian or Belarusian military or national security agencies”
  • display any national symbols of either country once in Paris

The vetting process has tripped up scores of athletes from both countries, infuriating Russian athletes and officials. In April, legendary wrestler Abdulrashid Sadulaev was banned from the Games after the review board “found new information about his support of the Ukraine-Russia war.” 

Last week, the Russian Wrestling Federation said that the 10 wrestlers who were cleared would not compete in Paris. “Any sane person understands that the status of the Olympic Games as the most significant sporting event is being questioned, and wrestling competitions without Russian athletes will be incomplete, and the champions will not receive the satisfaction of winning the Olympic tournament,” the federation said in a statement.

In all, 20 of the 36 cleared athletes, including stars in tennis and cycling, are refusing to compete, according to Reuters. Russian officials claim that “athletes have the right to make all decisions independently.”

With Russian participation heavily limited, organizers have reported that the country has been repeatedly attacking the Games. Last month, a widely circulated fake video contained a “CIA warning” about violence at the Olympics. An investigation organized by Microsoft found that the video had Russian origins.

Russia and Belarus are not the only countries under pressure for their participation in the Olympics. Palestinian athletes and advocates have called for similar restrictions to be placed on Israel in Paris over its prosecution of the war in Gaza. Hundreds of Palestinian athletes and sports officials have been killed in the war, local officials say. 

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

YouTube TV Jacks Up Prices Again Before NFL Playoffs

The Google product has more than doubled in price over seven years.

Florida State, Still Suing ACC, Claims It Never Wanted to Leave

In court documents last December, the Seminoles said they planned to withdraw.
Nov 17, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Former quarterback and current NFL announcer Tom Brady looks on before the game between the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers at Soldier Field.

Tom Brady to Have ‘Huge’ Impact on Raiders, Says Mark Davis

“His role is undefined right now,” Davis said of Brady.
Nov 4, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Broadcaster Scott Van Pelt prior to a game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.

Scott Van Pelt Headlines ESPN’s Talent Lineup for Tiger’s New Golf League

TGL launches in January with backing from Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy.

Featured Today

Nov 2, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Detailed view of a Wilson NBA basketball held by a referee during the second half between the Utah Jazz against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena

‘Obvious Weak Point’: Refs Remain an NBA Gambling Concern

A season after Jontay Porter, the biggest risk may not be players.
Nov 2, 2024; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines cheerleader runs with a flag before the game against the Oregon Ducks at Michigan Stadium.
opinion
December 7, 2024

College Football’s Billionaire Backer Era Begins

Is this the new normal in CFB recruiting?
LA Galaxy forward Dejan Joveljic (9) celebrates with midfielder Riqui Puig (10) after scoring a goal against Seattle Sounders FC in the second half in the 2024 MLS Cup Western Conference Final match at Dignity Health Sports Park
December 6, 2024

With or Without Messi, Major League Soccer Is Barreling Into the Future

After the Cup final, the league looks to accelerate its growth.
Dec 18, 2022; Lusail, Qatar; FIFA president Gianni Infantino claps during the awards ceremony after the 2022 World Cup final between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium.
December 2, 2024

FIFA Wants More Matches. Resistance Is Growing Inside the Global Soccer World

Resentment and frustration over expanded schedules is nearing a breaking point.
Jul 24, 2024; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees right fielder Juan Soto (22) flips his bat after hitting a solo home run against the New York Mets during the third inning at Yankee Stadium.

The Biggest Athlete Contracts Signed in 2024

Juan Soto and Jayson Tatum inked the biggest deals.
Caitlin Clark
December 10, 2024

Caitlin Clark Is Next Up for Taylor Swift With the Eras Tour..

Swift told Clark she and Travis Kelce want to watch the Fever.
Dec 4, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) looks to pass against Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) in the first half at Kaseya Center.
December 11, 2024

Heat Open to Jimmy Butler Trades, but Here’s Why Deal Will Be..

The Heat are reportedly “open” to hearing trade offers for Butler.
Sponsored

How UBS Crafts Impactful Partnerships Across Sports, Arts, and Culture

As UBS continues to expand its impressive array of sports and entertainment partnerships, the company solidifies its position as a leader in wealth management.
Aaron Rodgers
December 9, 2024

A Jets–Aaron Rodgers Divorce Could Get Expensive

The Jets could end up with $49 million or more in dead money.
December 8, 2024

Juan Soto Agrees to Groundbreaking $765 Million Mets Deal

Unlike Ohtani’s Dodgers deal, the Soto contract reportedly contains no deferred money.
Oct 26, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; New York Yankees outfielder Juan Soto (22) reacts after hitting a home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the third inning for game two of the 2024 MLB World Series at Dodger Stadium.
December 8, 2024

Juan Soto’s $700M Question Looms Over MLB Winter Meetings

Soto, Hall of Fame picks, and the draft lottery highlight the gathering.
Luis Severino
December 5, 2024

Mere $67 Million for Pitcher Is Largest Deal in A’s History 

Severino had a strong season with the Mets after a tough 2023.