MOSCOW: The head of Russia's Olympic Committee said Tuesday that athletes representing Russia must not be subject to different conditions from those of other countries, amid a growing row over participation in the 2024 Paris Games.
Russians must participate in the same conditions as all other athletes. According to Russian news agencies, any additional conditions or criteria are unwelcome, especially if they have political overtones, which are completely unacceptable for the Olympic movement, Stanislav Pozdnyakov said.
The International Olympic CommitteeOlympic Committee said last week it was looking into a pathway for Russians to take part in the summer Games next year, probably as neutral athletes rather than under their national flag.
Russia and its ally Belarus, which allowed its territory to be a staging ground for the offensive, have been sidelined from most Olympic sports since Russian forces invaded Ukraine last February.
The announcement sparked a response from Kyiv, with a Ukrainian presidential aide accusing the IOC of being a promoter of war Ukraine has threatened to boycott the Paris Games if Russians are allowed to take part.