FEI Bans Russian Riders from Competing in Paris 2024 Olympics

The International Equestrian Federation (FEI) announced that "riders from Russia and Belarus will not be able to participate in the Paris 2024 Olympics, even as neutral athletes." Earlier, the International Olympic Committee had approved the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes qualified for the games in their respective sports as neutrals without flags, emblems, or national anthems. Athletes from Russia and Belarus were initially barred from international competition following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, with Belarus being a major launch point for this invasion. The FEI indicated that "according to the Olympic qualification system in equestrian sports, qualification is secured at the individual level through the Olympic ranking of the FEI... from January 1, 2023, to December 31, 2023." It added: "Since athletes from Russia and Belarus have not competed in FEI championships since March 2, 2022, no representatives from the two countries will participate in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games."