2024-07-19 01:02:24
The Russian war of aggression against Ukraine continues to have consequences for sport. This can be seen again at this year’s Olympics.
According to official information, only 15 Russian athletes will take part in the Olympic Games in Paris. This is evident from the final admission list of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Almost half of the athletes from Russia who are allowed to compete under a neutral flag are tennis players. They have already taken part in international tournaments.
The best-known name on the list is the 2021 US Open winner, Daniil Medvedev. Roman Safiullin and Pavel Kotov will also compete in the men’s tennis category, and Ekaterina Alexandrova, Mirra Andreyeva, Diana Schnaider and Yelena Vesnina will compete in the women’s tennis category.
In addition, there are Tamara Dronova, Alyona Ivanchenko and Gleb Syriza in cycling and Zakhar Petrov, Alexei Korovashkov and Olesya Romasenko in canoe racing, as well as swimmer Yevgeny Somov and gymnast Anzhela Bladtseva.
16 athletes from Belarus have been admitted. They too must compete under a neutral flag. The following also applies to athletes from both countries: their national anthems will not be played, national symbols and flags are prohibited. Teams are excluded. To be admitted, athletes must have no connection to the army or security forces and must not have actively shown their support for the war in Ukraine. The IOC set up a commission with three members to examine the admission requirements.
Originally, more Russian athletes were allowed to take part, but they or their sports associations decided not to take part in the Olympics under these conditions. The games will open on July 26 in Paris.