IOC’s Coates: Only 40 Russian athletes for Paris Olympics

John Coates, a high-ranking official with the International Olympic Committee (IOC), expressed uncertainty about the exact number of Russian athletes who might participate as neutrals at the upcoming Paris Olympics, estimating it could be as few as 40.

This comes as a result of sanctions imposed in response to Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, with Belarus’s involvement as a logistical hub, which has led to restrictions allowing only a select number of Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete under stringent conditions.

The decision to permit these athletes to compete without representing their countries has sparked criticism, including from Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, who called it “shameful,” and Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo, who recently voiced her opposition to their participation.

Coates highlighted the limitations these athletes face, such as being excluded from team sports and representing military clubs, suggesting that these factors might reduce their presence in Paris significantly.

Competitors from Russia and Belarus will have to participate in individual events only, without national symbols or anthems, and those who endorse the conflict in Ukraine or have military affiliations are barred from competing.

Despite Moscow’s criticism of these restrictions as “unfair and unacceptable,” Russian Olympic officials, including Stanislav Pozdnyakov, have stated there will be no boycott of the Games by their athletes.

This situation contrasts with the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, where 335 athletes competed under the banner of the Russian Olympic Committee due to doping sanctions, securing 71 medals. Belarus contributed with 101 athletes, earning seven medals.

Recent actions by the IOC include the suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee for recognizing Olympic Councils in regions taken from Ukraine, a decision confirmed by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

As of the decision in December regarding neutral athletes, eight Russians and three Belarusians had qualified for the Games, compared to over 60 Ukrainians.

While some sports organizations like equestrian have outright banned athletes from these countries, others, including World Athletics, maintain a comprehensive prohibition. Conversely, organizations such as World Swimming and the International Tennis Federation (ITF) will permit their participation under IOC’s guidelines.

Daniil Medvedev, Russia’s top tennis player, expressed his intention to compete within these rules.

The Paris Olympics are scheduled to take place from July 26 to August 11.