Olympic Games News

Gymnastics Ruling Body to Allow Thirty Belarussian Athletes to Compete as Neutrals

Written by Edda Bevilacqua

Thirty Belarussian athletes have been given “neutral” status for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. The International Gymnastics Federation has allowed these thirty athletes, including Tokyo, 2020 trampoline gold medalist Ivan LItvinovich, to compete as neutral athletes, although their path to qualification remains uncertain.

Belarus is banned from Olympic competition because its government supports the invasion of Ukraine and subsequent war. To compete as neutrals, athletes and officials must not speak out in favor of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.  The governing body of the European Gymnastics Association has maintained its ban on Russian and Belarussian athletes, making the road to qualification for the thirty “neutral” athletes still uncertain.