Limited Participation of Russian and Belarusian Athletes at Paris 2024
The upcoming Paris 2024 Olympic Games will see a significantly reduced presence of athletes from Russia and Belarus. According to the latest official count, there will be only 33 athletes from these two nations: 16 Russians and 17 Belarusians. This list, covering ten disciplines including cycling, swimming, and tennis, may still change slightly due to potential withdrawals, as confirmed by a spokesperson for the Olympic organization.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has recorded 19 refusals from Russian athletes, including those who initially agreed to participate but later changed their minds, and 7 refusals from Belarusian athletes. Notably, prominent tennis players Aryna Sabalenka and Victoria Azarenka are among those who declined to participate.
The Russian judo team and wrestlers have declined en masse, citing the 'non-sporting principle of selection'. Additionally, Russian gymnasts and athletes were excluded due to the international federation's decision to maintain a total exclusion.
Germany's Strong Contingent for Paris 2024
In contrast, Germany will be represented by a large contingent of athletes at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. The German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) is sending 463 athletes, the largest squad since the 1996 Summer Games in Atlanta. This substantial number is attributed to numerous teams securing their tickets to Paris.
The DOSB aims to finish among the top ten nations in the medal table, a goal they have consistently achieved except for the 1952 Helsinki Games. In the previous Tokyo Olympics, Germany secured ninth place with ten gold, eleven silver, and sixteen bronze medals.
Many of the German medal winners from the Tokyo Games will be competing in Paris, alongside other athletes who are seen as strong contenders for gold. The list includes participants across various sports such as badminton, basketball, beach volleyball, archery, boxing, fencing, football, and many more.
- To be invited to the Games, the 'neutral individual athletes' from Russia and Belarus had to overcome the obstacle of qualifications and a double check by international federations and the IOC. They had to prove their absence of active support for the war in Ukraine and lack of ties with their country's military.
- Last March, the IOC expected 36 Russians and 22 Belarusians in Paris, compared to 330 Russians and 104 Belarusians during the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. Ultimately, fewer athletes will participate. Deprived of their official colors, these athletes will compete under a green flag bearing the letters 'AIN' and will not appear in the medal table.
- The German contingent includes athletes from a wide range of sports, with detailed nominations for each discipline. For instance, the badminton team includes Yvonne Li, Mark Lamsfuß, Fabian Roth, and Marvin Seidel. The basketball teams, both men's and women's, have qualified, although the final line-ups are yet to be announced.
- In athletics, Germany will be represented by a robust team including sprinters, hurdlers, long-distance runners, jumpers, and throwers. Notable names include Gina Lückenkemper, Malaika Mihambo, and Julian Weber. The rowing team is also strong, featuring Alexandra Föster and Oliver Zeidler among others.
- Germany's swimming team is equally impressive, with athletes like Anna Elendt, Isabel Gose, and Florian Wellbrock expected to make significant contributions. The country also has strong representation in sports like cycling, gymnastics, and sailing, ensuring a well-rounded and competitive presence at the Games.
