Russian and Belarussian Athletes Considered for Return to Games

Russian athletes who have not been welcome at international events due to the country's war with Ukraine could soon be allowed back in competition, said the head of the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee on Thursday.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) issued guidance to sports governing bodies in February to remove Russian and Belarusian athletes from competition.

Belarus has been used as a staging ground for Russia's invasion, which Moscow calls a "special military operation".
But the IOC is now beginning to consider a pathway back for athletes from the two countries, said USOPC chair Susanne Lyons during a conference call on Thursday, adding athletes should not be punished for the actions of their governments.

"We know that the IOC is beginning to think about whether there's a pathway back for the Russian athletes," said Lyons. "They are beginning to reach out to all of their stakeholders to get input on that topic.

https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sports/pathway-back-russian-athletes-being-considered-says-usopc-2022-09-15/