IOC sees return of Russians even as fencers protest

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) on Tuesday issued recommendations for the gradual return to international competitions for Russian and Belarusian athletes, with president Thomas Bach saying their participation "works" despite the ongoing war in Ukraine.

The IOC executive board's recommendations relate only for the - return of those athletes in international competitions but not the 2024 Olympics, for which a separate decision will be taken at a later date, he said.

Bach said the recommendations for event organisers and sports federations to follow include Russian and Belarusian athletes competing as neutrals, with no flag or anthem.

They cannot take part in team events and have to have a proven drug testing record.

Athletes who support the war or are contracted to their countries' military or national security agency cannot take part.

The IOC had sanctioned Russia and Belarus after the February 2022 invasion but it is now eager to see athletes come back across all sports and have a chance to qualify for the Paris Games.