Which countries have been barred from Paris Olympics 2024?
The Olympics is a quadrennial event which brings all the countries together in the form of sport. However, some countries are not that lucky to take part in this prestigious event. Ever since the Modern Olympics started, numerous countries have faced bans from the event due to certain reasons.
To cite a few examples, the 1920 Antwerp Games saw the exclusion of Germany, Hungary, Austria, Bulgaria, and Turkey for the role they played in World War I. Germany's ban was even extended to the 1924 Paris Games. Post the World War II, Germany and Japan were not allowed to take part in the 1948 London Olympics, due to their active roles in the war.
Moreover, there are other reasons apart from war, which have kept out a few other nations too. For example, South Africa was not allowed to participate in the showpiece event from 1964 to 1992 due to racial segregation as a result of the apartheid regime. Zimbabwe, once known as Rhodesia, was also banned in 1972 Munich Games due to international pressure.
Recent most examples can those be of Afghanistan, which was not allowed in the 2000 Sydney Games due to the Taliban's stance on women. The Taliban are currently back in power but Afghan athletes will participate at the Paris Olympics under the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan's flag.
Another country, which got suspended was Kuwait, but it was not due to any political situation rather due to its government interference in the country's Olympic committee, something which the International Olympic Committee doesn't entertain.
Today, we will look at the countries, which will not be a part of the Paris Olympics.
#1 Russia
As a result of the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, the former has been barred from participating at the upcoming Summer Games. However, that won't stop some of their athletes from partaking in the Games.
As per the official numbers published by the International Olympic Committee, a mere 15 athletes from Russia have been given the green signal to be a part of the Paris Games. However, they will be participating as Individual Neutral Athletes or AINs.
#2 Belarus
Belarus will also not be a part of the Paris Olympics and this is due to their involvement in the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine. But the AIN rule will help 18 athletes from the country showcase their prowess on the international stage this summer.