IOC recommends no participation of athletes from Russia, Belarus

FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP via Getty Images

(NEW YORK) — The International Olympic Committee on Monday said its executive board is recommending prohibiting athletes and officials from Russia and Belarus in international competitions.

The recommendation is “to protect the integrity of global sports competitions and for the safety of all the participants,” the IOC said in a statement.

The recommendation comes just three days after the IOC urged sports federations across the globe to move or cancel any events they were planning to hold in Russia or Belarus.

The move was prompted by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine last week, which violated the Olympic Truce. Belarus