Russians may compete as neutral athletes, IOC says

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) recommended Tuesday that Russian athletes compete as individuals in international sporting events.

The IOC issued a set of recommendations, saying that those "with a Russian or a Belarusian passport must compete only as Individual Neutral Athletes." This means that athletes can compete as individuals without a national flag or under a "neutral" flag.

It advised sporting bodies against considering teams "of athletes with a Russian or Belarusian passport."

The organization clarified its recommendation to the governing bodies of Olympic sports "do not concern" the 2024 Paris Olympics — which run between July and August next year — saying that decision would be taken at a later date.