The vetting process for Russian and Belarusian athletes who have qualified for the Paris Olympics has begun but is far from complete, the International Olympic Committee said on Wednesday.
Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the IOC initially recommended a ban on international competitions for athletes from Russia and its ally Belarus, but has since allowed them to qualify for the Paris Olympics as neutral athletes.
Still, every qualified athlete undergoes a vetting process by a three-person panel appointed by the IOC to ensure they meet certain eligibility criteria.