"There is no other option, given the way international sports are organized and managed. International competitions that are not related to the Olympic Games are under the exclusive and autonomous control of international federations," the IOC press service said.
It is emphasized that it is the sports federations that determine the rules of competitions under their auspices and themselves decide on the admission of athletes.
On March 28, the IOC recommended that sports federations allow Russians who do not support the SVO to start as neutral athletes. At the same time, the organization proposes not to allow athletes associated with the armed forces and security agencies to compete.
Athletes from Ukraine will not participate in the qualifying competitions for the 2024 Summer Olympics, in which Russian athletes will perform.
Earlier, the head coach of the Russian national team in cross-country skiing, Yuri Borodavko, called the IOC's position on the admission of Russians the highest degree of cynicism.