Olympic Games 2024: Russian athletes cannot be boycotted at the Games in Paris

The head of the Ministry of Sports emphasized that the athletes have won licenses and have exactly the same rights as athletes from other countries. Matitsyn also said that, despite the recommendations of the Ministry of Sports, the final decision still remains not with the officials, but with the athletes. 

The President of the Russian Fencing Federation, Ilgar Mamedov, has a diametrically opposite opinion, believing that society will not approve of athletes who decide to go to Paris. He is confident that under the IOC’s conditions, athletes do not have to agree to participate in the games. Mamedov is also supported by two-time Olympic biathlon champion Dmitry Vasiliev. He believes that under such harsh conditions of the IOC, our athletes have nothing to do at the Olympics. You need to maintain your dignity and not perform without the anthem and flag. 

At the moment, only 8 Russians and three Belarusians have qualified for the games in Paris in the summer of 2024 as individual neutral athletes. Their names are unknown because the IOC does not disclose them.

We would like to remind you that according to the decision of the IOC, only 55 athletes from Russia can be involved in the Olympic Games . In addition, they will not take part in the opening ceremony of the games in Paris. However, they will also not be able to participate in the closing ceremony of the games. Russians are also prohibited from participating in team sports. 

The Olympic Games will be held in France from July 26 to August 11. The IOC allowed Russians to participate only in a neutral status. 

Thus, every Russian athlete must decide for himself: whether he is ready to go to the Olympics under such conditions or not.