Paris Olympic Games 2024: Russian and Belarusian Riders Excluded
The equestrian arena at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris will quieter than anticipated, as athletes from Russia and Belarus have been left out of the event. This decision as a result of their absence from international competitions since March 2, 2022, as stated by the FEI (International Equestrian Federation).
The absence of the Russian and Belarusian riders in the Olympic qualification period for jumping, dressage, and eventing has led to their exclusion from the Paris events. As a penalty for their nation's Ukraine conflict and subsequent sanctions, the riders have been unable to collect points required for qualification.
This situation raises concerns for the future participation of both countries in top international equestrian sports. Previously, the IOC (International Olympic Committee) had declared that individual athletes from these nations could compete in the Paris Games, as long as they met the qualifying criteria. However, the FEI (International Equestrian Federation) remains firm in its stance, with its statement, "As Russian and Belarusian athletes have not participated in FEI competitions since March 2, 2022, there will be no representatives from these nations at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris".
The sports world watches with anticipation to see how this will impact international equestrian events. The Russian and Belarusian riders' exclusion in the upcoming Olympic Games signifies the shift in the stance of international sports bodies towards nations embroiled in geopolitical conflicts.
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The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF), not the International Equestrian Federation (FEI), has been the governing body dealing with the exclusion of Russian and Belarusian athletes from international competitions. The IIHF has barred Russia and Belarus from participating in ice hockey tournaments through the 2025-26 season due to security concerns following the invasion of Ukraine in 2022[1].
The FEI's decision to exclude Russian and Belarusian riders from the 2024 Olympic Games in equestrian events is in line with this trend, reflecting the ongoing diplomatic and ethical challenges faced by international sports governance.
