Thirty countries challenge IOC over 'neutral' Russian athletes
IOC for "clarification" on Monday over how Russian and Belarusian athletes would be able to compete as neutral athletes in the Paris 2024 Olympics.Russia and its ally Belarus, which allowed its territory to be used as a launchpad when Moscow began its invasion of Ukraine last February, have been sidelined from most Olympic sports since the war began.The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has said it is exploring a "pathway" to allow Russian and Belarusian competitors to take part in the Paris Games, under a neutral flag -- sparking fury from Ukraine.But in a joint letter seen by AFP, the countries expressed concern particularly given the "strong links and affiliations between Russian athletes and the Russian military".
