Paris 2024: Russian and Belarusian Athletes Excluded from Opening Ceremony Parade

In a significant development for the upcoming Paris Olympics, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has decided that Russian and Belarusian athletes will not be allowed to participate in the traditional parade at the opening ceremony. This decision comes amid the ongoing geopolitical tensions resulting from the war in Ukraine, and it marks a notable shift in the way the Olympics are addressing the involvement of athletes from these nations.

“Olympic Rings” by Oliver E Hopkins is licensed under CC BY 2.0

The opening ceremony, scheduled for July 26, promises to be a grand spectacle with thousands of athletes making their way down the River Seine towards the iconic Eiffel Tower. However, unlike previous Olympics, the parade of athletes will not include those from Russia and Belarus. Instead, athletes from these countries who have been approved to compete as neutrals will have the opportunity to watch the event from the sidelines, a decision that aligns with the International Paralympic Committee’s ban announced two weeks prior.

The IOC has implemented a two-step vetting procedure for Russian and Belarusian athletes seeking neutral status. To qualify, athletes must receive approval from their sport’s governing body and an IOC-appointed review panel. Additionally, these athletes must not have publicly supported the invasion of Ukraine or be connected to military or state security agencies. The criteria for neutral status are stringent, and even membership in a Russian military sports club could potentially disqualify an athlete.

Approximately 36 athletes with Russian passports and 22 with Belarusian passports are expected to qualify for the Paris Games under these conditions. However, their participation in the closing ceremony on August 11 remains undecided and will be determined at a later stage. Notably, any medals won by these neutral athletes will not be tallied as part of a collective group in the overall medals table.

In a move to further distinguish neutral athletes, the IOC has introduced a replacement flag in jade green for medal ceremonies, accompanied by a specially composed anthem without lyrics. This decision underscores the IOC’s commitment to maintaining neutrality while still allowing athletes to compete.

The IOC’s stance extends beyond the ceremonies. It has also taken a firm position against the International Boxing Association, led by Kremlin-backed Umar Kremlev, by excluding it from organizing boxing events for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. This decision could potentially lead to boxing being removed from the Los Angeles Games unless a new boxing body is established to work with the IOC.

In other news, the IOC has approved the change of national-team eligibility for two Russian athletes. Swimmer Anastasiia Kirpichnikova will now represent France, and Greco-Roman wrestler Aleksandr Komarov will compete for Serbia. Additionally, the IOC has provisionally lifted an 18-month suspension on Guatemala’s national Olympic body, citing the interest of the athletes and allowing Guatemalan competitors to participate in Paris with their national flag and anthem.

The Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games are set to be the largest event ever organized in France, with a rich program that includes traditional sports and new additions like breaking, sport climbing, skateboarding, and surfing. The Games aim to leave a lasting legacy, promoting sport values and sustainability while transforming Paris’ iconic landmarks into unique sporting venues.

The exclusion of Russian and Belarusian athletes from the opening ceremony parade is a stark reminder of the wider impact of global events on the sports world as the globe looks ahead to the grandeur of the Paris 2024 Olympics. The choices made by the IOC showcase a nuanced blend of maintaining the Olympic ethos and addressing the complexities of international politics.