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Olympic Committee Approves 25 Russian, Belarusian Athletes For Paris Games


Russian and Belarusian athletes were initially banned from the Olympics after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. (file photo)
Russian and Belarusian athletes were initially banned from the Olympics after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. (file photo)

The Olympics governing body on June 15 approved 14 Russians and 11 Belarusians with neutral status to compete at the Paris games this summer. The athletes compete in four sports: cycling, gymnastics, weightlifting, and wrestling. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) did not clear any Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete in taekwondo. After initially banning the two countries' athletes from world sports following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the IOC adjusted its regulations to allow their participation under a neutral banner subject to strict conditions and excluding team events. The summer games kick off on July 26 and conclude on August 11.

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