IOC gives 14 Russians, 11 Belarusians neutral status

The IOC has approved 14 athletes from Russia and 11 Belarusians with neutral status to compete at the Paris Olympics.

Five sports - though not tennis, swimming or judo - were assessed by an International Olympic Committee vetting panel in the first round of decisions.

Cycling, gymnastics, taekwondo, weightlifting and wrestling were judged, and lists of athletes from other Olympic sports are likely to follow within days.

Athletes approved on Saturday include the defending Olympic champion in men's trampoline, Ivan Litvinovich from Belarus.

No athletes were approved in taekwondo.

Russia and Belarus are banned from team sports at the Paris Olympics because of the military invasion of Ukraine.

Individual athletes with Russian and Belarusian passports have been allowed to compete as neutrals in qualifying events in most other sports, then apply for entry to the Olympics.

Ukrainian athletes and officials urged the IOC and sports leaders to impose a blanket ban on all Russians. Track and field did that.

The two-stage vetting process for neutral status goes through sports governing bodies, then the IOC panel, before appeals are possible at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Each qualified athlete must undergo the vetting process by a three-member panel appointed by the IOC to make sure they meet eligibility criteria.

Not having actively supported the war in Ukraine and not having been contracted to any military or security agency are among those criteria.

The Paris Olympics open on July 26.

- with Reuters