Russia was left without an invitation to the next Olympics.
Russian participation in the Olympics is still possible. EPA / AOP
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) will soon send its traditional invitation letters to the Olympic Games starting in a year. Invitations are sent to a total of 203 countries’ Olympic Committees. The IOC informs that Russia is not among those invited.
The IOC sends its letter on July 26, i.e. exactly one year before the start of the Games. It is more of a ceremonial gesture and does not mean that the Russians will not be seen in Paris next summer. It is possible that the Russians will be allowed to compete for Olympic medals under strict conditions, which include sports without badges.
Belarus, which supports Russia, and Guatemala, whose government is suspected of having influenced the country’s Olympic Committee, will also not be invited. The Olympic Committee of Belarus is headed by the President Alexander Lukashenko son Viktor Lukashenko.
– Due to certain reasons, the Olympic Committees of Russia and Belarus and also the Olympic Committee of Guatemala, which is currently banned from competition, will be excluded, the IOC informs.
Belarusian and Russian athletes have been allowed to participate in the Olympic qualifiers in certain sports. Nevertheless, the IOC reminds that a complete ban from competition is still possible.
– The IOC will make its decision at an appropriate time.