Among other things, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) writes that Russian and Belarusian athletes must then compete under a neutral flag. They must also not support the war in Ukraine or have any connection to the military in Russia or Belarus.
However, it is unclear when a decision on whether or not they will be allowed to participate in the Paris Olympics next year.
"The IOC will make this decision at the appropriate time," IOC President Thomas Bach said at a press conference on the sidelines of the IOC executive meeting in Lausanne.
RF: Totally inappropriate
However, the criticism has not been long in coming. Among other things, the Swedish Sports Confederation (RF) is clear that Russian and Belarusian athletes should not be allowed to compete internationally.
"In the situation we find ourselves in, where the war is still going on in full force and Russia's aggressions against Ukraine show no signs of abating, it is deeply unfortunate and completely inappropriate for the IOC to make a decision like this. To distinguish which athletes are 'neutrally active' and which are not, I think are crumbs that risk going wrong", says The Foundation's chairman Björn Eriksson in a press release.
German Sports Minister Nancy Faeser says the recommendations are "a slap in the face" for Ukrainian athletes.
International sport must clearly condemn Russia's brutal war of aggression. It can only be done with the complete exclusion of Russian and Belarusian athletes," she said.
Russia also critical
Poland calls it a day of shame for the IOC.
"What positive has Russia done to ensure that their athletes are now allowed to participate in competitions! After Butja, Irpin, Hostomel! After daily bombings of civilian sites! It is a day of shame for the IOC," Deputy Foreign Minister Piotr Wawrzyk wrote on Twitter.
Nor are the recommendations received with much joy from the Russian side.
- The announced criteria for a return to international competitions are unacceptable. This is discrimination based on nationality," Russian Olympic Committee chairman Stanislav Pozdnyakov said, according to Russian media.
CLIP: Strong reactions to IOC after Olympics announcement
Javascript is turned off
Javascript must be turned on to play video
Learn more about browser support
Strong reactions against the IOC after the Olympics announcement