Athletes must sign a document before competing.
Accepting Russian athletes back has raised a lot of discussion. The photo shows Ukrainians demonstrating in front of the IOC headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland. EPA/AOP
Athletes from Russia and Belarus have to sign a text indicating their neutrality in order to return to international fields, says French newspaper L’Equipe.
The document is not ready yet, so there is no exact information about its content. Chairman of ASOIF, the umbrella organization of international sports federations of the Summer Olympics By Francesco Ricci Bitti however, the declaration of neutrality does not condemn war.
– The athletes have to write a statement, but they are not asked to say that they are against the war. That would be a crime in Russia. We are developing a prototype of the statement with legal experts, says Ricci Bitti.
According to Ricci Bitti, nothing is ready yet. EPA/AOP
The International Olympic Committee IOC ruled in March that individual athletes from Russia and Belarus can be allowed back into international games with a neutral status.
The athlete has not been allowed to publicly support the war, and is not allowed to work in his country’s army or security service.
– Another sensitive matter is to monitor whether the athletes meet the criteria. We will find out if the sports appeals court CAS could handle the task. Nothing is official.
French Minister Amélie Oudéa-Castéra demands clarity. EPA/AOP
After the IOC’s policy, the sports federations can decide for themselves whether to take back athletes from Russia and Belarus.
Among other things, fencing, triathlon and wrestling are accepting athletes from countries that are banned from competing on the competition fields. Athletics, hockey and basketball have kept the door firmly shut.
– The sports movement must clarify and establish the line, said the French Minister of Sports, Olympics and Paralympics, Amélie Oudéa-Castéra.
The IOC’s March policy does not apply to the 2024 and 2026 Olympics. The IOC will decide on the participation of Russians and Belarusians in the Paris Olympics in July of this year at the earliest.
– France respects the autonomy of the sports movement. Our political leaders must be able to concretely understand what neutrality means, Oudéa-Castéra emphasized.