Olympics sent letter demanding investigation into 19 athletes as second round of qualifying begins

Olympics sent letter demanding investigation into 19 athletes as second round of qualifying begins

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Stuart Ballard

By Stuart Ballard


Published: 08/02/2024

- 12:03

Russian and Belarusian athletes who qualify for the Olympics can only compete under neutral flags.

International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach has been asked to investigate 19 athletes competing under neutral flags ahead of Games being held in Paris this summer due to them "supporting aggression against Ukraine".

The IOC announced in December that Russian and Belarusian athletes would be able to compete at this year's Olympics as neutrals.


But certain conditions, including not showing support for the war, have been set for the athletes aiming to qualify as neutrals.

The next few months will see athletes from all disciplines hope to secure qualification for the Olympics.

Russian and Belarusian athletes must compete under neutral flags

Russian and Belarusian athletes must compete under neutral flags

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Some already have and the Ukraine Olympic Committee have reached out to the Bach to raise concerns that some Russian and Belarusian athletes breach the requirements to compete as neutrals.

The letter started: "Dear Mr. President.

"On behalf of the NOC (National Olympic Committee) of Ukraine and the Ukrainian sports community, I would like to reiterate our high appreciation and to express once again our sincere gratitude to the International Olympic Committee and international Olympic movement for the continued support provided to the Ukrainian athletes and Ukrainian sport in general.

"Herewith, I would like to address to you again on the issue of potential participation of AIN (Individual Neutral Athletes) athletes with Russian and Belarusian passports, in particular those who compete in wresting sport - potential participation of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 and their adherence to the IOC Recommended Conditions of Participation.

"The first qualifying competition was the 2023 World Wrestling Championships, and there was increased attention to potential AIN team members.

"Although some pre-registered athletes were not allowed to compete at the World Championships, the majority of athletes who, in our opinion, do not meet IOC requirements, were allowed to compete, and, as we informed in our previous letter, some have already qualified for the Olympic Games.

"Now the start of the second stage of qualification for the Olympic Games is approaching, and the number of AIN athletes who cause our concern as to their adherence to the IOC requirements, has increased significantly.

Two-time Olympic champion Sadulaev Abdulrashid is named

Two-time Olympic champion Sadulaev Abdulrashid is named

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"Taking into account the above, we would like to address to the IOC with a request to pay special attention to these issues and take into account the evidence and facts provided by us when making the final decision concerning participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes in the Olympic Games Paris 2024 as IANs."

Attached to the letter was also a list of athletes who Ukraine's NOC feel "do not meet the IOC requirements for neutral athletes and directly or indirectly support or justify aggression against Ukraine".

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Zaur Uguev is also on the list

Zaur Uguev is also on the list

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Two-time Olympic champion Sadulaev Abdulrashid is named along with other 18 other athletes.

The full list also features Zaur Uguev, Zaurbek Sidakov, Aues Gonibov, Milad Valerikovitch Alirzaev, Rakhman Tavmurzaev, Vitali Kabaloev, Aliaksandr Hushtyn, Sergey Semenov, Artur Sargsian, Kiryl Maskevich, Aliaksandr Liavonchyk, Akhmed Usmanov, Abasgadzhi Magomedov, Artur Naifonov, Alina Kasabieva, Anastasiia Sidelnikova, Vanesa Kaladzinskaya and Nadezhda Sokolova.

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