Only 40 Russian athletes will be allowed to attend the Olympic Games in Paris

The participation of Russian athletes in the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris has been a subject of considerable debate. Ultimately, they have been allowed to compete in the games, but John Coates, the Vice President of the International Olympic Committee, stated that only 40 athletes will be permitted to participate.

In an interview with the Sydney newspaper Daily Telegraph, he remarked:

“The issue is how many [Russian athletes] will be there, because they will not be participating in any team sports and cannot compete as Russia.”

He further added:

"All those who are trained in Russian military clubs will not be taking part. I am not entirely sure, but it seems that some athletes may decide not to attend if they do not wish to compete for Russia."

In conclusion, he mentioned:

"I could be wrong, but I believe I read that the [Russian contingent] may consist of only 40 individuals."

In accordance with the sanctions imposed due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, for which Belarus served as a staging ground, the IOC permits only certain Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete in Paris, under strict restrictions.

The admission of Russian athletes to the Olympics has sparked controversy worldwide. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba called the decision "disgraceful," while Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo stated that she does not want Russian athletes to participate in the Olympics.

Russian athletes can only compete in individual sports, under a neutral flag, without emblems and the national anthem. Athletes actively supporting the war or having contracts with the Russian or Belarusian army are not allowed to participate.

Some sports will not admit Russian athletes at all. Equestrian sports will not allow participation by Russian or Belarusian athletes, nor will athletics, which banned athletes from these two countries back in 2022.

The International Swimming Federation and the International Tennis Federation will permit Russians and Belarusians to compete within the limits set by the IOC.

The Olympic Games in Paris will take place from July 26 to August 11. Out of the 4,600 athletes who qualified at the time of the December decision on neutral athletes, only eight were Russians and three held Belarusian passports. By that time, 60 athletes had already qualified to represent Ukraine.