“The summit supported the IOC EB’s recommendation that youth athletes with a Russian or Belarusian passport should no longer be restricted in their access to international youth competitions, both in individual and team sports.” said an IOC statement on the summit meeting., external
“Summit participants committed to bringing these discussions back to their organizations for consideration, recognizing that implementation by stakeholders will take time.
“In addition, the standard protocols of the International Federation (IF) or the organizer of international sporting events regarding flags, anthems, uniforms and other elements should apply, provided that the national sporting organization concerned is in good standing.
“The above principles should apply to the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, and are recommended for adoption by all IFs and international sporting event organizers for their own youth events.”
It added: “With its reflections today, the Olympic Summit recognized that athletes, and especially youth athletes, should not be held responsible for the actions of their governments – sport is their gateway to hope, and a way to show that all athletes can respect the same rules and each other.”
The statement added that while Russia should still be barred from hosting international events, “this recommendation no longer applies to Belarus.”
The move comes after nine Russian and Belarusian athletes were allowed to compete in qualifying events for next year’s Winter Olympics after neutral athletes had a ban overturned by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
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