In case of participation of athletes from the Russian Federation and Belarus in the Asian Games, they will compete in a neutral status.

The day before, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced its readiness to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete in international competitions.

They immediately decided to use this statement in Asia and invited athletes from the aggressor countries to their competitions.

The Olympic Committee of Asia (OCA) offered the Russian Federation and Belarus to participate in the 2023 Asian Games.

“We support the IOC in solidarity with Ukraine, sanctions against Russia and Belarus and the status of athletes from these countries.

The Olympic Committee of Asia believes in the unifying power of sport and that all athletes – regardless of their nationality or passport – should be able to compete in sports.

The OCA offered eligible Russian and Belarusian athletes the opportunity to compete in Asia, including the Asian Games.

The IOC remains on standby while the International Olympic Committee, together with international federations, continues to explore ways to return Russian and Belarusian athletes to competition under strict conditions,” the Asian organization said in a statement.

It is noted that if athletes from Russia and Belarus participate in the Asian Games, they will compete in neutral status without flags and anthems.

It will be recalled that the IOC discussed the issue of removing Russians and Belarusians from international competitions and announced its intention to consider the admission of athletes from the Russian Federation and Belarus to participate in international competitions, subject to their compliance with strict conditions – complete neutrality and only those who did not support the war in Ukraine.