The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has announced that it has enough time to decide whether athletes from Russia and Belarus will be able to participate in the Olympic Games in Paris next year, Reuters reports.

Olympic GamesPhoto: CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP / Profimedia

The International Olympic Committee is in no hurry to make a decision regarding the participation of athletes from Russia and Belarus in the 2024 Olympics

After the invasion of Ukraine, the IOC in February 2022 recommended removing Russia and its ally Belarus from international competition, but earlier this year allowed athletes from those countries to return with neutral status, without national symbols and anthems.

Several international sports federations have restricted Russian and Belarusian athletes on the condition that they do not support the war or serve in their national militaries or security services.

However, the IOC has not yet made a decision on the participation of the two countries in the 2024 Olympics.

“You want to define a time frame and we have said we will make a decision at the appropriate time,” said Mark Adams, an IOC spokesman.

“It’s the right thing to do to see these things develop. I believe that the solution should be flexible because the situation is in motion. We will make a decision on Paris when the time is right and there will be plenty of time to make that decision,” Adams said.

The Olympic Games in Paris will be held from July 26 to August 11, 2024, and Olympic qualifications have already started in several sports, Agerpres reports.

Athletes from Russia and Belarus can compete in Asia for Olympic qualification, where they do not have access to most qualifications in Europe.

Some international federations, including World Athletics, opposed the return of Russians and Belarusians, ignoring the recommendation of the IOC.

“Each federation will have its own position. Federations are independent and can make their own decisions. We hope they will follow our instructions. Many have started doing it,” added Adams at the end of a two-day meeting of the IOC Executive Committee.