Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has invited International Olympic Committee (IOC) chief Thomas Bach to visit his war-affected country so he realises "that neutrality does not exist."
Athletes from both Russia and Belarus were banned from competing in the 2021 Winter Paralympics following the invasion of Ukraine, with the two countries still barred from fielding teams in international sporting competitions. The majority of individuals that are able to compete are being made to do so as neutrals.
Bach has seemingly opened the door for the latter notion at the Paris 2024 games, arguing that no athlete should be banned because of their "passport." But their participation would be subject to "strict conditions" of neutrality, with a ban on Russian and Belarusian national symbols remaining in place.
