The American Olympic Committee announced on Monday that it strongly supports Ukraine but will listen to any plan proposed by the International Olympic Committee about allowing athletes from Russia and Belarus to participate as neutral competitors in the Paris 2024 Games. The International Olympic Committee imposed sanctions on Russia and its ally Belarus after Moscow's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, but earlier this year it recommended that athletes from both countries be allowed to return to international competitions as neutral athletes.
American Olympic Committee President Gene Sykes confirmed he stands with Ukraine but will consider any plan put forth by the International Olympic Committee, which stated last week that it has more time to decide on Russian participation. Sykes said, "We have always shown flexibility to give the International Olympic Committee the opportunity to study the matter and truly allow athletes from Russia and Belarus to participate in international competitions as neutral."
Many international federations have allowed athletes from Russia and Belarus to compete without their flags or national anthems, while athletes who support the war or are contracted with national military or security agencies have been excluded. This situation does not currently apply to the Paris Olympics, where everyone is awaiting a separate decision from the International Olympic Committee.
