On Wednesday, the 26th of July, the President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Thomas Bach sent 203 countries of the world invitations for the 2024 Paris Olympics. Russia and Belarus are not among the countries invited to attend the games.
In the middle of July IOC warned it will not be sending invitations to Russia and Belarus.
At the same time, IOC notes the possibility of letting Belarusian and Russian athletes participate under a neutral flag is not excluded.
“In accordance with the Olympic Charter it is my great honour and pleasure to mark this important milestone today by inviting the athletes of the world to come together in Paris, France, to celebrate the Games of the 33rd Olympiad,” Bach said in Paris on Wednesday, the 26th of July.
Bach also said he has visited the Olympic Village. He said athletes will be very happy there.
Estonian Minister of Foreign Affairs Margus Tsahkna wrote on Twitter that “the foreign ministers of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania welcome the exclusion of Russia and Belarus [from the Olympics]”.
“But we must do more to support Ukraine and Olympic values,” he wrote.
It’s one year until the @Olympics.
We, the Foreign Ministers of ?????? welcome the #IOC’s exclusion of Russia and Belarus – but we must do more to support #Ukraine & Olympic values.
Statement: https://t.co/L4fslb2n6F
Here is my take:
?1/12 pic.twitter.com/R2qaI22cV5
— Margus Tsahkna (@Tsahkna) July 26, 2023
Guatemala is also not among the countries invited to attend the Olympic Games. This is because this country is under temporary disqualification.
In March IOC published recommendations to international sports federations and tournament organisers. These recommendations mention that athletes can only return to competitions as individual representatives, and not as team members.
Athletes and staff that actively support Russia’s war in Ukraine are not allowed to participate in competitions. Athletes and staff who are members of Russian or Belarusian armed forces and other security services are also banned from participating in Olympic Games.
Athletes also have to comply with international anti-doping regulations.
IOC’s recommendations still exclude the conduct of international sports competitions in Russia and Belarus, and the flags, anthems and national symbols of these countries may not be displayed during the competition. Federations are also advised not to invite representatives of these countries to international competitions.
Also read: EU launches new sanctions against Belarus