Sebastian Coe, re-elected president of World athletics, again deemed it “improbable” on Thursday the presence of Russian and Belarusian athletes at the Paris Olympics in 2024, remaining on a firm position despite the opening requested by the International Olympic Committee (IOC ).
“I continue to follow events in Ukraine, with a dedicated working group. Our position with the Council is very clear, for reasons of competition integrity. I would be very surprised if the new Council (elected on Thursday) changes its position,” Coe said at a press conference following the World Athletics Congress in Budapest.
“We will continue to monitor the situation but that (the presence of Russians and Belarusians at the 2024 Olympics) seems unlikely for the moment”, he added.
Russian and Belarusian athletes have been suspended from competitions since February 2022 and the invasion of Ukraine. After recommending their exclusion in 2022, the IOC opened the door in March to their return to international competitions, under certain conditions and under neutral status, before a possible participation in the 2024 Olympics.
Several sports have followed this last recommendation such as fencing, judo or gymnastics for example. The World Athletics Championships begin on Saturday in Budapest without any Russian or Belarusian athlete, as in 2022 in Eugene (Oregon, United States).
