The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is set to distribute invitations for the 2024 Paris Olympics later this month. However, Russia and Belarus will not be included in this initial round of invitations. The IOC clarified that this does not represent a final decision on the two nations' participation in the Games. A formal determination regarding the eligibility of Russian and Belarusian athletes will be made later.

Demonstrators protesting the potential return of Russian athletes gather outside the International Olympic Committee headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland, on March 25, 2023. (FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP via Getty Images)

Over 200 eligible National Olympic Committees (NOCs) will receive invitations on July 26th. Russia, Belarus, and the currently suspended Guatemala are excluded from this initial distribution. The IOC emphasized its autonomy in making the final decision regarding athlete participation, stating that it will not be bound by prior Olympic qualification results.

The IOC's current stance stems from the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Initially, the IOC urged international sports organizations to ban Russian and Belarusian athletes. While some adhered to this recommendation, others permitted athletes to compete under neutral flags. The IOC is now exploring pathways for some athletes from these nations to qualify for the Paris Games as neutral competitors, echoing a suggestion from the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA).

A demonstrator holds a sign calling for a boycott of Russian sports in Krakow, Poland, on March 31, 2023. (Artur Widak/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

This proposed approach has created a rift, with opposing viewpoints that the IOC describes as "irreconcilable." While Russia seeks to have the war disregarded in Olympic participation decisions, Ukraine advocates for the complete exclusion of individuals holding Russian or Belarusian passports. The IOC believes both stances contradict its mission and the Olympic Charter.

The IOC also expressed disapproval of the negative response from some European governments to its efforts at finding a resolution. The organization criticized these governments for seemingly disregarding the broader Olympic Movement's majority opinion and the autonomy of sport, principles they often champion in other contexts. The IOC further highlighted the perceived double standard in not addressing the participation of athletes from countries involved in other global conflicts.

IOC President Thomas Bach speaks at an executive board meeting in Lausanne, Switzerland, on March 28, 2023, addressing the issue of Russian athlete participation. (FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP via Getty Images)

IOC President Thomas Bach is expected to discuss this matter further with the media in the coming week. Guatemala's suspension, unlike the situation with Russia and Belarus, is due to alleged governmental interference with the nation's NOC.