African Olympic committees said Sunday that Russian and Belarusian athletes should be allowed to compete in the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.
In a statement posted on Twitter, the Association of the National Olympics Committees of Africa said that members had “decided unanimously to support the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes in all international competitions.”
This comes following a call from the United States and 30 other “like-minded” countries on February 20 to impose a ban on Moscow and Minsk’s athletes from competing in international sports because of Russia’s war in Ukraine — an invasion launched in part from ally Belarus’ territory.
The International Olympic Committee sparked controversy in January when it unveiled a multi-step plan for Russian and Belarusian athletes to participate at the 2024 Summer Games in Paris and the 2026 Winter Games in Milan, but as neutral parties (rather than competing in the name and symbology of their home country).
The IOC has stressed its “strong commitment to the unifying mission of the Olympic Movement” remarking in a January 30 statement that “no athlete should be prevented from competing just because of their passport.”
The African association said Sunday that its decision is aligned with the position of the IOC and its President Thomas Bach and “will allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to participate in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in total neutrality without any identity sign.”
Source – CNN