The International Olympic Committee (IOC) will "explore" a proposal allowing Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete in international events in Asia. Athletes from Russia and Belarus were banned from competition in February after Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. But at the Olympic summit in Lausanne on December 9, the IOC said it would "lead the further exploration" of a proposal by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) to host athletes from the two countries. "The OCA offered to facilitate the participation of athletes from Russia and Belarus in competitions in Asia under its authority, while respecting sanctions in place," the IOC said.
IOC To Explore Asian Proposal To Host Russian, Belarusian Athletes
Maria Lasitskene of Russia competes in the women's high jump final at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in August 2021.