Russia, Belarus Athletes Won't Participate In Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony, So No Boat Parade For Them

The 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France are coming our way in just a few months, but don't expect to see any Russian or Belarusian athletes in the opening ceremony.

Although, considering how dull the opening ceremony seems like it'll be, this doesn't appear to be the kind of punishment the IOC thinks it is.

According to the Associated Press, while both Russian and Belarusian athletes will be permitted to compete at the Games as neutrals, they will not be allowed to participate in the opening ceremonies, which will eschew the traditional stadium-bound pageantry for a boat parade down the Seine.

READ: PARIS OLYMPICS OPENING CEREMONY WILL REPORTEDLY BE BOAT PARADE, A PERFECT WAY TO KICK OFF GAMES IF GOAL IS BORE TV AUDIENCE

While these athletes won't be able to take part in the festivities, they're welcome "to experience the event" which most likely means watching from the river banks.

This is the latest sanctions aimed at Russia and Belarus for their actions during the invasion of — and subsequent war — in Ukraine.

Forget whether or not you agree with the IOC's rulings on competitors from Russia and Belarus, we all agree that this isn't much of a punishment. I'd argue it's the exact opposite.

As we've discussed before, this boat parade will be a one-way ticket to Dullsville. A slow-moving line of boats? Yeah, that'll keep people's attention in an era of TikTok.

We're just a few months away from the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, but don't expect to see any Russian or Belarusian athletes cruising down the Seine during the open ceremony. (Andrea Mantovani/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Sure, the opening ceremonies are a big deal for Olympians, but the IOC just handed the Russians and Belarusians an excuse to skip what will