The IOC explained who will decide the issue of allowing Russia to OI-24

The head of the IOC Bach called on the continental federations to resolve the issue of allowing the Russian Federation to the Olympics in Paris

The head of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Thomas Bach, said that the continental federations should decide on the admission of athletes from the Russian Federation to the Olympic Games.

“We will monitor the implementation of the recommendations for as long as possible to make an informed decision,” Bach told reporters on Tuesday.

According to him, “the IOC Executive Committee did not consider it possible to name a deadline today, since the situation is difficult.”

“The Asian Games will take place this year, the organizers would like to invite Russians to participate,” Bach said, “but there is also concern that it will be difficult to include Russian and Belarusian athletes in some sports.”

He noted that “everything is in the hands of international and continental federations.” And “there can be no single solution” – “in martial arts there can be one situation, in swimming – another” and federations “know their system best of all”.

He also said that “in Asia, for example, they have already included athletes from Oceania in their competitions without any problems.” The head of the IOC expressed confidence that a solution would be found “in the interests of all athletes.”

Earlier, the Asian Olympic Council invited athletes from Russia and Belarus to take part in the Asian Games in Hangzhou (China), which will be held from September 23 to October 8.

The IOC on Tuesday recommended that international federations allow athletes who did not support the Russians in Ukraine as neutral participants to start. The IOC proposes not to allow athletes associated with the armed forces and security agencies to start, in addition, it was decided not to consider Russian and Belarusian teams as participants in international tournaments in team sports.