“IOC President Bach Hopes for Inclusion of All Countries, Including Russia and Belarus, in 2024 Olympics”

President of the International Olympic Committee Thomas Bach expressed his wish that all countries, including Russia and Belarus, take part in the 2024 Olympics.

Source: Inside the Games with reference to Bach’s statement during a speech in Sofia at the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Bulgarian Olympic Committee

Direct speech: “The recommendation of the IOC is that athletes from all countries should be allowed to compete in the qualifying competitions that are already taking place. I hope that many federations will accept our recommendations.

I am happy that I received support in this matter from the President of Bulgaria, Rumen Radev. He, like us, wants athletes from all 206 IOC National Committees to be able to participate in the Olympic Games.”

What preceded this:

• Prior to this, the IOC did not approve or prohibit the participation of Russians and Belarusians in the competitions of the 2024 Olympics in Paris. The committee promised to make “this decision at the appropriate time, at its own discretion and without reference to the results of previous Olympic qualifying competitions.”
• The International Olympic Committee dismissed criticism from Ukrainian officials who accused it of promoting war after the IOC said Russians could potentially be given the opportunity to qualify for the 2024 Olympics in Paris.