Britain and France query state funding of Russian and Belarusian athletes

Britain and France's sports ministers insisted on Tuesday that Russian and Belarusian athletes must never compete as neutrals as recommended by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) because they could still be funded by their governments.

The IOC sanctioned Russia and Belarus after Moscow invaded Ukraine in February 2022 with Minsk's support, but last month recommended that their athletes be allowed to return to international competition as neutrals.

Several Olympic sports federations have taken steps to readmit Russians and Belarusians as neutrals, but Ukraine is threatening to lead a boycott of the Paris 2024 Games unless Moscow withdraws its soldiers.

Britain's minister for culture, media and sport Lucy Frazer told a Council of Europe parliamentary hearing that the IOC recommendations' absence of reference to state funding was worrying.

"Secondly, the provisions set out on military and national security agency links are currently minimal... We know that the links between state, military and sport in Russia and Belarus are root and branch," she added at the meeting in Strasbourg.

"Many Russian athletes have been active in their support for Putin's invasion."

The IOC recommendations say Russian or Belarusians contracted to their military cannot compete.

French sports minister Amelie Oudea-Castera said the IOC had "very tangible and basic issues" to clear up before the Olympics start in July next year.

"What is the position the IOC intends to take when it comes to athletes who are funded and financed by the Russian or Belarusian state?" Oudea-Castera asked.

"Or those who are sponsored or benefiting from financial support from entities having links with Russia or Belarus?"

SPORT NOT AN 'INSTRUMENT FOR PUNISHMENT'

The IOC is to