IOC Approves Russian and Belarusian Neutrals for Paris Olympics

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has approved 14 Russian and 11 Belarusian athletes to compete as neutrals at the Paris Olympics, with five sports initially assessed, excluding tennis, swimming, and judo. Russia and Belarus are banned from team sports due to the Ukraine invasion, but individual athletes can participate after vetting. The vetting process involves ensuring athletes did not support the war and were not linked to military or security agencies, with a total of 25 athletes cleared for 41 quota places. The IOC expects around 36 Russian and 22 Belarusian athletes to compete as neutrals, with a maximum potential participation of 54 and 28 respectively. The vetting, overseen by a three-member panel, is ongoing and aims to uphold strict eligibility criteria before the Paris Olympics start on July 26.