IOC calls for international event ban for athletes from Russia and Belarus

Russian athletes are currently allowed to compete at the Olympic under the auspices of the Russian Olympic Committee. Photograph: Pavel Golovkin/AP

The International Olympic Committee has recommended that Russian and Belarusian athletes be prevented from competing in international events.

In a lengthy declaration on Monday afternoon, the IOC said it was acting with “a heavy heart” as it called for a ban on both Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials.