DUESSELDORF, Germany (AP) — With 100 days to go till the Paris Olympics, it’s nonetheless not clear whether or not any athletes from Russia who’re anticipated to qualify will truly go.
The query is whether or not Moscow will settle for the situations that the Worldwide Olympic Committee set for Russia within the wake of its invasion of Ukraine. Finally, it could possibly be as much as particular person athletes to resolve whether or not to take part.
The IOC expects that 36 Russian athletes — and presumably as many as 54 — will do nicely sufficient at qualifying occasions to compete in Paris.
The IOC will allow them to compete as “impartial athletes,” that means they’ll’t use their nation’s flag or anthem or take part in staff sports activities corresponding to soccer and basketball. Athletes with hyperlinks to the navy or who’ve expressed help for the warfare will likely be banned.
The identical restrictions apply to Russian ally Belarus. Athletes from Russia and Belarus additionally aren’t allowed to participate within the opening ceremony on July 26.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has questioned the foundations and requested the Russian Olympic Committee and the Sports activities Ministry to submit suggestions on whether or not the nation’s athletes ought to compete in Paris.
The ROC and Sports activities Ministry have sharply contrasting views.
In social media posts, ROC President Stanislav Pozdnyakov alleged the IOC “time and again thinks up illegitimate standards” for athletes and “constantly carries out exterior political orders to isolate Russian sport.” On April 5, he likened Russian tennis gamers who’re prepared to compete in Paris to “a staff of overseas brokers,” saying that they largely play and earn cash outdoors Russia and are vital of its insurance policies. Pozdnyakov himself holds the rank of colonel within the Russian navy.
Sports activities Minister Oleg Matytsin, nevertheless, has stated Russia mustn’t boycott the Olympics.
“We should protect the potential of dialogue as a lot as potential and participate in competitions,” Matytsin stated final month in feedback reported by state information company Tass.
Russia despatched 335 athletes to Tokyo in 2021 — profitable 20 golds amongst 71 whole medals. They competed with out nationwide symbols at that Olympics and on the Winter Video games in 2018 and 2022 due to a doping scandal.
Ukraine opposes Russians taking part on the Paris Olympics in any capability however eased its coverage of boycotting occasions the place “impartial” Russians compete.
IOC President Thomas Bach steered final month “threats of boycotts” from the 2 international locations have been now not a difficulty.
“Now we are able to say this dialogue, at this second in time, is over,” Bach informed a gathering of Pacific sports activities officers in Fiji. “We nonetheless have completely different opinions. One saying we’ve got been going too far with the sanctions for individuals who violated the Olympic Constitution. Others are saying we’ve got not gone far sufficient. Usually this exhibits you that you just’re in a very good place if either side will not be 100% pleased.”
The IOC’s stance on Russia has led to scattered requires it to take the same method with Israel over the warfare in Gaza. Bach dominated that out final month.
A impartial Russian delegation would consist largely of athletes who take part in fight sports activities corresponding to judo and wrestling and doubtless a number of of the world’s high tennis gamers, together with former U.S. Open champion Daniil Medvedev. He informed Russian newspaper Sport-Categorical this month that he deliberate to compete in Paris. A minimum of three Russian cyclists and one trampolinist are additionally more likely to be included.
Ukrainian activists are monitoring Russian athletes’ social media exercise and flagging something they imagine breaches IOC neutrality guidelines.
One athlete who has been intently watched is two-time gold medalist wrestler Abdulrashid Sadulaev. He was initially accepted to participate in Olympic qualifiers however was stripped of that standing on April 4 in gentle of what wrestling’s governing physique stated was “new details about his help of the Ukraine-Russia warfare.” The Ukrainian Nationwide Olympic Committee despatched an open letter Friday to Bach alleging 9 different certified Russian wrestlers and one Belarusian had supported the warfare.
Twelve Russians have certified to this point in wrestling alone and extra may comply with subsequent month.
Judo, a well-liked sport of Putin’s since childhood, may have 10 to 12 Russians in Paris, the Worldwide Judo Federation estimates.
Nonetheless, some influential Russian coaches and officers have refused to ship their athletes to qualifying occasions.
The Russian rowing federation stated it will snub upcoming qualifiers in protest of what its president referred to as “discriminatory situations.”
Swimming and gymnastics have opened impartial athlete functions. Nevertheless it’s not clear whether or not main Russian athletes even utilized. Dozens of functions from Belarusians have been accepted.
No matter is determined in Moscow, Russia won’t compete in Olympic monitor and discipline.
The game’s governing physique, World Athletics, has not backed off its ban on Russian and Belarusian athletes at competitions it runs, together with Olympic occasions.
___ AP Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/2024-paris-olympic-games
James Ellingworth, The Related Press
