Who received the licenses?

There are just over four months left before the start of the Olympics in Paris, and there is still no certainty as to whether Russians will participate in it and in what numbers.

Last December, the International Olympic Committee allowed athletes from Russia and Belarus to participate in the Games in a neutral status, but the final decision was left to the federations of various sports.

In this regard, domestic athletes found themselves in unequal conditions with their competitors, because a number of organizations categorically refused to grant them access even without the flag and anthem.

Thus, World Athletics President Sebastian Coe took a principled position and announced the inadmissibility of inviting Russians to Paris.

Therefore, even those few who have already fulfilled the Olympic standard cannot count on participation.

In turn, World Aquatics removed domestic synchronized swimming from the international arena, but allowed swimmers and divers into the water.

However, a condition was imposed on the signing of a special declaration, which Russia categorically disagreed with.

As a result, domestic athletes did not go to the World Championships held in Doha in February.

This was the last chance for the divers to qualify for Paris.

In swimming, the standards can still be met until June 23, but only the results shown abroad are taken into account, and not at domestic competitions.

They also refused to qualify for the Olympics in gymnastics teams - both sports and artistic - calling the FIG admission criteria humiliating, and performing under a neutral flag as a betrayal.

Among the few who managed to obtain licenses for the Games were representatives of taekwondo, where four people achieved success, judo (12), freestyle wrestling and cycling (4 each).

And one of the most widespread in Paris could be the representation of tennis players.

The ITF allowed Russians and Belarusians to the Olympics not only in individual categories, but also in pairs and mixed doubles.

The final application will be compiled according to the ATP and WTA rankings, which will be released the day after the end of Roland Garros.

There were still chances of winning places in rowing, but only in singles and doubles.

Qualifying competitions will take place in April in Hungary and in May in Switzerland.

Trampoline jumpers are competing for two licenses based on their performance at the World Cup.

Position of the Ministry of Sports and ROC

In Russia, there are different points of view regarding whether Russian athletes should participate in the Olympics in a neutral status.

In December 2023, Russian President Vladimir Putin instructed the Ministry of Sports and the Russian Olympic Committee to formulate an official position on the participation of domestic athletes in the Olympics.

Presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov said at the end of February 2024 that the instructions must be carried out. 

“Instructions must be carried out and appropriate recommendations must be formed,” TASS quotes Peskov. 

At the same time, the head of the ROC Stanislav Pozdnyakov, judging by his speeches, does not support a trip to Paris in a neutral status.

“My personal belief is that all competitions, including the Olympic Games, should be held under non-discriminatory conditions for all athletes.

In accordance with the Olympic Charter, any persecution based on gender, religion and, of course, political views must be excluded.

Today, the IOC grossly ignores the Olympic Charter in this part and signing a document for participation in the Olympics, which is required by the IOC, is associated with a possible violation of Russian legislation.

I’m not sure that in this case our athletes will sign it,” TASS quotes Pozdnyakov.

Press Secretary of the Russian President Dmitry Peskov, meanwhile, expressed the opinion that the IOC leadership needs to think very carefully about the concept of “double standards” and the decisions it makes in relation to the country, since discrimination carries the threat of the collapse of the Olympic movement.

“They turn a blind eye to situations in other parts of the world.

What is happening around Ukraine suddenly becomes a subject of their interest.

Although sport should be free from politics.

They should think about it, because there is a threat,” Peskov said.

Prejudice towards Russians manifests itself not only in the selection process.

Thus, the IOC has not yet decided whether “neutrals” will be able to take part in the parade of athletes at the opening ceremony.

This decision will be made at the next meeting of the executive committee, which will take place in Lausanne from March 19 to 21.

There is a high probability that the organization will follow the example of the International Paralympic Committee and deny admission to the celebration.

The opinions of athletes regarding participation in the Olympics in a neutral status are directly opposite.

For example, Anastasia Voinova, silver medalist of the 2016 Olympics on the cycling track, called the need to receive neutral status absurd.

“I don’t understand why athletes are suspended at all, why we should ask for some kind of neutral status.

I consider it absurd to cave in and accept such conditions.

I absolutely don’t need this; I can do without their neutral status,” Voinova said.

In turn, the 1992 Olympic champion in pole vaulting Maxim Tarasov, on the contrary, is sure: you need to take advantage of every opportunity.

“I participated in two Olympics.

One as part of the United Team, and in Sydney - under the Russian flag.

Athletes must perform,” the former track and field athlete emphasized.

And Roman Kostomarov believes that performing in a neutral status should be left to the discretion of each individual athlete.

“It’s hard for me to say what I would do today.

I think this should be the decision of athletes and coaches who spend their whole lives trying to achieve the highest result, Olympic gold.

Yes, of course, the situation is very difficult.

No anthem, no flag.

But this is the choice of every person who is either ready to perform there under a neutral one, or not ready,” the Championship quotes Kostomarov.

Information leak

Meanwhile, a scandal broke out in France.

At the end of February, a laptop and two flash drives containing confidential information regarding the Games security plan were stolen from an employee of the Paris City Hall.

A few days later, another disappearance became known.

Another laptop containing documents containing access and movement plans for healthcare workers was stolen from the car of the general secretary of the Avicenna Hospital management.

Thus, due to security threats, the Organizing Committee is thinking about reducing the opening ceremony program.

It is planned to be quite unusual - the athletes will not march in the usual parade through the stadium, but will travel along the Seine in boats.

Spectators will be able to watch them from the embankment, while for 222 thousand people admission will be free, but by special invitation.

It is also planned to involve about two thousand law enforcement officers, mainly municipal police officers.

WADA control

The World Anti-Doping Agency has announced that neutral athletes from Russia will not be subject to additional testing ahead of the Olympics.

As stated in the organization’s press release, this time there is no need to create a commission similar to the one that worked in 2018 before the Pyeongchang Games.

Then the athletes were checked for possible involvement in the state system of using prohibited substances that allegedly existed in the Russian Federation.

“Today the situation is completely different.

Firstly, in Paris 2024, athletes from Russia and Belarus will compete in a neutral status for reasons not related to doping.

“In addition, WADA and international federations have had time to investigate and prosecute athletes involved in the Russian doping scheme or further cover-ups, with priority given to cases involving active athletes,” the document on the website says WADA.