Asian Games extend invitations to Russian athletes
The Olympic Council of Asia has extended an invitation to athletes from Russia and Belarus to participate in the Asian Games in China this September.. source:TROIB RTS
TroibNews 
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is currently exploring a potential pathway for athletes from Russia and Belarus to qualify for the Paris Olympics in 2024.
Despite the ongoing exclusion of both countries from a number of major international sporting events, the Olympic Council of Asia announced that athletes from Russia and Belarus have been invited to participate in the Asian Games, which will take place in Hangzhou, China this year.
On Wednesday, the IOC stated that discussions are underway to create a framework allowing Russian and Belarusian athletes to return to Olympic competitions, given that specific conditions are met. These conditions include strict adherence to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) code, and athletes who openly support the military operation in Ukraine would be disqualified.
The IOC's statement also acknowledged the Olympic Council of Asia's proposal to invite Russian and Belarusian athletes to its Olympic qualification events. In response, the Olympic Council of Asia affirmed its solidarity with Ukraine and support for the IOC Executive Board’s sanctions against Russia and Belarus, along with the status of athletes from these nations.
“The OCA believes in the unifying power of sport and that all athletes, regardless of their nationality or the passport they hold, should be able to compete in sports competitions. The OCA has offered to give eligible Russian and Belarusian athletes the opportunity to take part in competitions in Asia, including the Asian Games.”
The OCA also stated, “The OCA remains on standby as the IOC continues to explore with International Federations the pathway for the return of Russian and Belarusian athletes’ participation in competition under strict conditions.”
This invitation occurs despite Ukrainian calls to prevent the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes in the Olympics. Earlier this week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed in a phone call with French President Emmanuel Macron that Russians have “no place” at the Paris Olympics next year.
For the past eleven months, Russia and Belarus have been largely sidelined from international sports, following sanctions imposed by the IOC that many other global sporting federations followed. Recently, IOC President Thomas Bach noted that, while he believes sanctions against the Russian and Belarusian governments should remain in force, the Olympic Charter mandates respect for the rights of all athletes to compete without discrimination.
The Asian Games are scheduled to take place in Hangzhou, China, from September 23 to October 8.
Max Fischer for TROIB News
Despite the ongoing exclusion of both countries from a number of major international sporting events, the Olympic Council of Asia announced that athletes from Russia and Belarus have been invited to participate in the Asian Games, which will take place in Hangzhou, China this year.
On Wednesday, the IOC stated that discussions are underway to create a framework allowing Russian and Belarusian athletes to return to Olympic competitions, given that specific conditions are met. These conditions include strict adherence to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) code, and athletes who openly support the military operation in Ukraine would be disqualified.
The IOC's statement also acknowledged the Olympic Council of Asia's proposal to invite Russian and Belarusian athletes to its Olympic qualification events. In response, the Olympic Council of Asia affirmed its solidarity with Ukraine and support for the IOC Executive Board’s sanctions against Russia and Belarus, along with the status of athletes from these nations.
“The OCA believes in the unifying power of sport and that all athletes, regardless of their nationality or the passport they hold, should be able to compete in sports competitions. The OCA has offered to give eligible Russian and Belarusian athletes the opportunity to take part in competitions in Asia, including the Asian Games.”
The OCA also stated, “The OCA remains on standby as the IOC continues to explore with International Federations the pathway for the return of Russian and Belarusian athletes’ participation in competition under strict conditions.”
This invitation occurs despite Ukrainian calls to prevent the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes in the Olympics. Earlier this week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed in a phone call with French President Emmanuel Macron that Russians have “no place” at the Paris Olympics next year.
For the past eleven months, Russia and Belarus have been largely sidelined from international sports, following sanctions imposed by the IOC that many other global sporting federations followed. Recently, IOC President Thomas Bach noted that, while he believes sanctions against the Russian and Belarusian governments should remain in force, the Olympic Charter mandates respect for the rights of all athletes to compete without discrimination.
The Asian Games are scheduled to take place in Hangzhou, China, from September 23 to October 8.
Max Fischer for TROIB News
