Banned
Which countries are not competing in the Paris 2024 Olympics?
Athletes from a banned country may still compete, but under strict restrictions
THE Olympics are a rare time where the world feels peaceful and unified.
However, wider global tensions are often reflected in who is banned from or who boycotts the Games. So which countries won’t be competing at the Paris 2024 Olympics?
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Russia
Russia was banned from participating in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games by the International Olympic Committee because of the ongoing war in Ukraine.
The IOC initially sanctioned Russia in 2022, as they said Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was a “blatant violation” of the Olympic Truce.
The Olympic Truce is an agreement that nations participating in the Olympics must agree to.
For seven days before the Olympics and 7 days after the Olympics, participating countries must commit to a peaceful truce.
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The truce is just one of the ways that athletes and spectators are kept safe, with the Paris Olympics having particularly high security.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine occurred between the Beijing Winter Olympics and Paralympics in 2022.
Russia were banned from participating in the Paris games in 2023, for violating the territorial integrity of the National Olympic Committee of Ukraine.
Belarus
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Belarus was also banned from participating in the Paris 2024 Olympics.
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The country, which neighbours both Ukraine and Russia, was banned because it has supported Russia through its invasion of Ukraine.
The country has faced sanctions from the USA, the UK, Japan, Canada and the EU for its support of Russia.
Can athletes from banned countries still compete?
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Athletes from banned countries may still compete, but they cannot compete as representatives of their country.
At the Paris Games, they must compete as “AINs” (Athléte Individual Neutre or Individual Neutral Athlete).
Russian and Belarusian competitors must not show support for the war in Ukraine in order to compete at the games.
Athletics, the biggest Olympic sport, has chosen to completely ban Russian and Belarusian athletes.
In 2023, Volodymyr Zelensky said that Russia taking part in the Games would show that "terror is somehow acceptable".
Only 15 Russian athletes and 17 athletes from Belarus will be participating, with many Russian athletes choosing not to take part in the Games.
What's happening today at The Games?
WHAT TO WATCH TODAY...
TODAY'S BRIT MEDAL HOPES
Freestyle BMX world and European champ Kieran Reilly will be aiming to add the Olympic title to his collection (12.40pm).
Team GB’s men and women will both be in contention in the rowing quadruple sculls finals (11.25am).
BRITS TO WATCH
Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix - daughter of First Dates star Fred - and Lois Toulson go in the 10m synchro diving final (10am).
In the hockey, Team GB’s women know a win against South Africa is vital after starting with defeats to Spain and Australia (9.30am).
Commonwealth bronze medallist Jemima Yeats-Brown begins her -70kg judo campaign, two years on from losing her sister Jenny to brain cancer (9.20am).
GLOBAL STARS TODAY
The all-star USA men’s basketball team, featuring LeBron James and Steph Curry, face Olympic debutants South Sudan (8pm).
The 100m men’s freestyle final could be a classic with Tokyo champ Caeleb Dressel, new 200m gold medallist David Popovici plus Brits Duncan Scott and Matthew Richards all in contention (9.15pm).
And Jessica Fox could win her second gold of Paris 2024 if she defends her C1 canoe slalom from three years ago (4.25pm).
FANCY SOMETHING DIFFERENT?
The beach volleyball is always spectacular viewing at any Olympics but this year even more so - because it is being played at the foot of the Eiffel Tower.
There are matches all throughout the day from 8am to 9pm.
Click here for all the events taking place at Paris 2024 today.
Follow all the action as it unfolds with our Paris 2024 Olympics LIVE blog.
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