The final decision will be made with the full cooperation of the International Olympic Committee, Olympic Council of Asia, Hangzhou Asian Organizing Committee, and international and Asian individual sports federations
Post Date – 10:25 PM, Sun – July 9
Bangkok: The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) approved in principle Russian and Belarusian athletes to participate in the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, but the final decision rests with the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
At the 42nd OCA General Assembly in Bangkok on Saturday, delegates from 45 national or regional Olympic committees were informed that only the International Olympic Committee had approved their participation in the Paris 2024 Games as independent neutrals, from 12 individual Olympic committees. Events may not have more than 500 athletes. Russia and Belarus will be allowed to participate in the Asian Games.
According to Xinhua News Agency, Hussein Musallam, director-general of the Olympic Council of Asia, said that the final decision will be made by the International Olympic Committee, the Olympic Council of Asia, the Hangzhou Asian Games Organizing Committee, and the International and Asian Individual Sports Federations. Made with full cooperation.
“If all this is approved, then Russian and Belarusian athletes will compete in the Hangzhou Asian Games, but will not be eligible for medals. They will compete as independent athletes and under a neutral flag,” Hussein Musallam told the General Assembly explained above.
“Participation in the Asian Games will also give Russian and Belarusian athletes the opportunity to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics,” the OCA director general added, stressing that the move is only in principle. The Hangzhou Asian Games will be held from September 23 to October 8.
