Athletes' rights to compete essential for fair sports

Illustration: Liu Xiangya/Global Times

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has recently given the green light for individual athletes from Russia and Belarus to participate under neutral status in the upcoming 2024 Olympics in Paris, a move echoing the principles of fairness, inclusivity and protection of athletes' fundamental rights.

However, no flags, anthems or any other national identifiers of Russia or Belarus will be displayed in the official Olympic venues while government officials will not receive invitations or accreditation for the Games, due to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. 

The IOC's decision comes despite a call from some who asked for a total ban on all athletes from the two countries, a call that, if realized, would undeniably infringe upon the basic rights of individual athletes.

According to the IOC, the overwhelming majority of athletes, who are the core of the Olympics, expressed a desire not to penalize fellow athletes due to international politics.

The IOC's decision is not without conditions. 

The eligibility criteria for neutral athletes are rigorous. Athletes from Russia or Belarus will compete strictly as individuals, with no consideration for forming teams. 

The "neutral" athletes must adhere to the same rules and regulations applicable to all Olympic participants, including the strict anti-doping measures. 

Their commitment to respecting the Olympic Charter, with a particular emphasis on the peace mission of the Olympic Movement, is a prerequisite for their participation in the Games.

The conditions mean that this neutral status is not an open door for all athletes from Russia and Belarus. Among the 4,600 athletes worldwide who have qualified for Paris 2024 so far, there are only eight Russian athletes and three Belarusian athletes, making up a tiny fraction of the overall Olympic contingent. 

Russia sent 335 athletes to the Tokyo Olympics held in 2021 - winning 20 gold medals. 

The scale is highly unlikely to repeat in Paris, but as the qualification process is still ongoing, the number of neutral athletes might grow as well.

Critics may argue that the IOC's decision overlooks the ongoing geopolitical tensions surrounding Russia and Belarus. 

However, the Olympics itself cannot prevent wars and conflicts from occurring, nor can they solve the political and social challenges of the world. 

The Games can set an example for all those who respect the same rules and each other. The Olympics can build bridges to solve problems, thus increasing understanding between people as well as opening doors to dialogue and peace-building.

The Olympic Truce Resolution by the UN for the Paris 2024 Games supports the autonomy of sport and the political neutrality of the IOC, which views the Olympics as a symbol of peace, dialogue and inclusivity.

Perhaps most notably, the Non-Aligned Movement underscored the symbolic unity of humanity that would be achieved through the participation of athletes from all national and regional Olympic committees in the Paris 2024 Olympics. 

Earlier this year, the Non-Aligned Movement issued a declaration emphasizing the participation of athletes from all Olympic Committees in the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics and Paralympics. They expect the Paris events to be politically neutral and to promote fair competition and mutual respect. 

This resonates strongly with the Olympic ideal of fostering understanding and unity.

The IOC's decision to allow neutral athletes from Russia and Belarus to participate in the 2024 Olympics is a carefully considered stance aimed at upholding the fundamental rights of athletes while navigating the geopolitical landscape. 

It is still up to each sport's governing body, which runs their own Olympic competitions, to assess and enforce neutral status for individual athletes.

By ensuring eligibility for athletes and garnering support from international organizations, the IOC's move sends a message that the Olympic spirit can and should transcend political strife and stand as a beacon of unity for humanity.

The author is a reporter with the Global Times. [email protected]