The IOC calls on sports federations to allow Russians to compete in a neutral status.

The sports director of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Kit McConnell, called on sports federations to allow Russians to compete in a neutral status. He noted that the IOC is open to dialogue about supporting these athletes and other nuances.

Thank you to all those international federations that have allowed neutral athletes with Russian and Belarusian passports to participate in competitions again. Our position at the IOC is clear and has remained unchanged since the beginning of military actions – athletes should not be punished for the actions of their governments. We must work together to ensure that these athletes, albeit in a neutral status, can compete with their colleagues from other countries

In March 2022, the IOC called for the removal of Russian athletes from international tournaments due to Russian aggression against Ukraine. In 2023, the IOC recommended allowing Russians to compete in a neutral status.

Likes of Russian tennis player and skier

Russian tennis player Mira Andreeva liked posts about the activities of the organization "People's Front", which helps the occupiers. She supported the publications of multiple-time medalist of the Russian alpine skiing championships Anton Endzhievsky. The organization, to which Endzhievsky belongs, is under sanctions from several countries.

Anton Endzhievsky participated in propaganda events organized by the "People's Front". Mira Andreeva not only liked his publications but also took several photos with him and Mykola Oliunin, who in 2024 was a trusted person of dictator Vladimir Putin in the presidential "elections" in Russia.

After the scandal involving the armed conflict between Russia and Ukraine, the International Olympic Committee recommends allowing Russians to participate in competitions in a neutral status, without punishing athletes for the actions of their government. Thus, athletes from Russia and Belarus will have the opportunity to compete in international competitions alongside their colleagues from other countries.