The International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced on Tuesday that Russian and Belarusian athletes will not be allowed to participate in the parade during the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics, Paralel.Az reports citing Baha Breaking News.

The decision aligns with the IOC's stance on the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the involvement of Russian and Belarusian athletes in the Games. However, those granted neutral status may still witness the event from a distance. In that regard, the IOC has detailed a vetting process for athletes from these countries, emphasizing that to achieve neutral status, participants must not have endorsed the invasion of Ukraine nor be connected with their countries' military or security forces.

Approximately 36 athletes with Russian passports and 22 with Belarusian passports are expected to meet these criteria for the Paris Games. The committee has yet to decide on the participation of these neutral-status athletes in the closing ceremony on August 11.