IOC warming to idea of Belarus’ participation in Olympics – Łukašenka’s son

April 26, BPN. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) aims to reach “a positive solution” regarding Belarusian athletes’ participation in the 2024 Olympics in Paris, Viktar Łukašenka, chair of the Belarusian National Olympic Committee, has told participants in the Third Forum of Athletes in Minsk.

A lot of work is reportedly underway to clarify the admission criteria for international tournaments but Belarus’ participation in the Olympic qualifiers and the Olympics remains “the main goal,” he noted.

“There should be a red line that we cannot cross,” he added. “We will take part in competitions only if our country and our athletes are respected. We won’t jump in head first just to be allowed to participate in tournaments. There are certain principles that we will follow.”

After Russia’s new assault on Ukraine in late February 2022, the IOC called on the international sports federations not to allow athletes from Russia and Belarus to compete. That call was immediately answered on a mass scale, and resulted in almost complete isolation of Russian and Belarusian athletes.

In late March 2023, the IOC said that Belarusian and Russian athletes might be admitted to international competitions under a neutral flag on condition that they are not actively involved in supporting military operations and are not linked to the military. The recommendation, however, does not apply to the 2024 and 2026 Olympics.