Commentary: ‘Politically neutral’ Russian athletes can now enter the Olympics - but don’t expect many to compete

SYDNEY: Earlier this month, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced Russian and Belarussian athletes will be able to compete in the 2024 Paris Olympics if they are politically neutral. The decision from the committee’s executive board reversed an earlier ban.

The IOC made this change even though the Russian National Olympic Committee remains suspended from competition for its violation of “the territorial integrity of the National Olympic Committee of Ukraine”. For its part, Russia rejects the decision.

The committee’s decision has enraged Western leaders, particularly those in Ukraine. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba accused the committee of effectively giving “Russia the green light to weaponise the Olympics”.

While it might seem like a good idea not to hold individual athletes responsible for the decisions of governments, the decision is more complicated than it appears.

More than 30 Western nations have previously called for a complete ban on Russian participation in the Games.

IOC president Thomas Bach defended his decision by arguing “individual athletes cannot be punished for the acts of their governments”.

The ruling came with strict conditions. Athletes must not be open supporters of the Russian invasion and they cannot be affiliated with Russian or Belarussian military or security services.  They cannot compete under their home country’s flag, or with national emblems or anthems.

The committee estimates that only 11 athletes - six Russians and five Belarussians - will qualify under these regulations.

The committee has been slowly working towards this policy since the spring of 2023.  The call may seem reasonable. After all, why should Russian and Belarussian athletes, especially