Tuesday, July 21, 2026

Ukraine Invasion: Russian, Belarusian athletes remain banned from European Games, organisers say

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has proposed re-admit individual athletes from both countries to international sports events as neutral athletes under strict eligibility criteria.

• March 29, 2023
IOC
International Olympic Committee (IOC)

Athletes from Russia and Belarus will not be allowed to participate in the European Games this summer in Poland, organisers confirmed on Wednesday.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has proposed re-admit individual athletes from both countries to international sports events as neutral athletes under strict eligibility criteria.

In October, the European Olympic Committees decided that Russians and Belarusians would not be allowed to participate in the European Games scheduled for June 21-July 2 in Krakow.

The decision was in connection with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

An organising committee spokesman said their position “remains unchanged” after Tuesday’s IOC proposal.

The European Games also serve as qualifiers for next year’s Paris Olympics in some sports.

The IOC has yet to decide whether Russians and Belarusians would be allowed to compete at the Games.

(dpa/NAN)

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