IOC not stalling decision over Russia and Belarus, insists Thomas Bach

The International Olympic Committee has set out new recommendations governing how Russian and Belarusian athletes can return to international sport

The IOC and its president Thomas Bach says no decision has yet been taken on whether Russian and Belarusian athletes can compete at next year’s Olympic Games in Paris (Andrew Milligan/PA) (PA Archive)

Thomas Bach insists the International Olympic Committee is not using stalling tactics in delaying a decision on whether Russian and Belarusian athletes can compete at next year’s Paris Games.

The IOC’s executive board set out recommendations on Tuesday which global sports federations can apply concerning the return of athletes from those countries to international events amid the invasion of Ukraine.

The recommendations say only individual, neutral athletes from those countries should be allowed to compete – not teams. Athletes and support personnel who actively support the war in Ukraine must also remain barred, as must any athlete or support staff member contracted to the Russian or Belarusian military or security agencies.