Sebastian Coe, re-elected president of world athletics, again on Thursday deemed it “impossible” to have Russian and Belarusian athletes in Paris Olympic Games-2024maintaining its firm position despite the opening requested by International Olympic Committee (IOC).
“I continue to follow the events in Ukraine, with a certain working group. Our position in the Council is very clear, for reasons of integrity of competitions. I will be very surprised if the new Council (elected this Thursday ) has changed its position,” he declared. Coe at a press conference after World Athletics Congress held in Budapest.
“We will continue to monitor the situation, but (the presence of the Russians and Belarusians at the 2024 Olympics) seems unlikely at the moment,” he added.
Russian and Belarusian athletes have been suspended from competitions since February 2022 and the invasion of Ukraine.
After recommending his exclusion in 2022, the IOC opened the door in March for his return to international competitions, under certain conditions and with a neutral status, ahead of a possible participation in the 2024 Olympic Games.
Several sports followed this recommendation, including fencing, judo, and gymnastics.
The Athletics World Championships will start this Saturday in Budapest without any Russian or Belarusian athletes, as in 2022 in Eugene (Oregon, USA).
Source: La Verdad
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