MOSCOW, Mar 24, Andrey Simonenko. World Athletics Association ( World Athletics) has the exclusive right to admission to international competitions, the International Olympic Committee confirmed, commenting on the decision of the World Athletics Council to extend the suspension of Russian and Belarusian athletes for the foreseeable future.
On Thursday it became known that the Council of World Athletics accepted the recommendation of the working group and restored the membership of the All-Russian Federation of Athletics (ARAF), but extended the suspension of athletes from Russia and Belarus from competitions under the auspices of World Athletics due to the situation in Ukraine. Earlier, IOC President Thomas Bach called for the return of Russians and Belarusians to international competitions in a neutral status, this position was supported by the IOC Executive Committee.
“The IOC has taken note of the decision of World Athletics. Decisions on participation in international competitions are within the exclusive competence of each international federation,” the IOC press service said in response to a request to comment on the decision of World Athletics, which contradicts the position of the executive committee and the president of the IOC .
The head of World Athletics, Sebastian Coe, said at a press conference on Thursday that at the moment, Russian and Belarusian athletes cannot participate in the selection for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. «It is important to note that participation in the Paris Olympics is not currently part of the discussion,» the IOC press service said.