Russia, Belarus invited to Asian Games despite fierce objections from Ukraine

Russia's path to sending a team to the Paris Olympics next year became clearer on Thursday amid fierce objections from Ukraine.

The International Olympic Committee indicated on Wednesday it favours officially neutral teams from Russia and its ally Belarus at the 2024 Olympics despite a plea from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to exclude them entirely.

A day later, Russia and Belarus were invited to compete at the Asian Games, a key Olympic qualifier.

Zelenskyy has said he told French President Emmanuel Macron, whose country is hosting the Olympics, that Russia should have "no place" there. Ukraine is seeking to rally support against the IOC-brokered plan.

"IOC has been disregarding Russian war crimes, claiming that 'No athlete should be prevented from competing just because of their passport', while Ukrainian athletes continue to be killed by Russia because of their passports. I urge all sports figures to make their stance known," foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba wrote on Twitter on Thursday.

Ukraine boycotted an Olympic qualifier in judo last year when Russians were allowed to compete as neutrals.

IOC has been disregarding Russian war crimes, claiming that “No athlete should be prevented from competing just because of their passport”, while Ukrainian athletes continue to be killed by Russia because of their passports. I urge all sports figures to make their stance known. <a href="https://t.co/Uv9ZuHSI9L">https://t.co/Uv9ZuHSI9L</a>

In Russia, there was praise for the IOC's approach from Igor Levitin, an aide to President Vladimir Putin who holds influential government and sports posts.

"I think it is already a success. Olympic society understands that the Olympic Games cannot be staged without Russia," said