The World Archery Federation is against the selection of Russians for the 2024 Olympics through tournaments in Asia
The Executive Board of the World Archery Federation (World Archery) opposed the qualification of Russian archers for the 2024 Olympics in Paris through Asian tournaments. They believe that if Russian athletes are allowed to compete in international competitions in a neutral status, then their options for selection for the Olympic Games should be discussed separately.
“If a return to competition of neutral athletes is confirmed, other qualification opportunities will need to be identified in consultation with the International Olympic Committee,” the statement said. TASS in the press service of World Archery.
The press service added that the federation is discussing with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) the feasibility of returning individual athletes in a neutral status. “Given the complexity of the situation, the return of individual neutral athletes to competition in 2023, including for participation in the main Olympic qualification at the World Championships, is considered very unlikely,” World Archery explained.
In February 2022, the IOC, in response to the entry of Russian troops into Ukraine, recommended that Russian and Belarusian athletes be barred from participating in international competitions. In January 2023, IOC President Thomas Bach allowed the possibility of participation of athletes from Russia and Belarus in international tournaments in a neutral status and in the event that the athlete is not seen in active support of the military operation in Ukraine.
A few days later, the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) offered Russian and Belarusian athletes to participate in the Asian Games. They will be held in Hangzhou, China in September-October 2023. By words OCA President Randhir Singh, a special system for distributing quotas for the Olympics in Paris in 2024 will be created for Russians and Belarusians. Athletes will be able to qualify in those disciplines that are measured in points, points and seconds.
Ukraine promises to boycott the games in Paris if Russian athletes participate in them. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky invited Thomas Bach in Bakhmut and said that he was disappointed with his words about the need to allow all athletes to compete. At the same time, the IOC explainedthat the participation of Russians in the 2024 Olympics has not yet been discussed.
More details - in the publication "Kommersant" “Ukrainians demand continuation of the boycott”.
