Russian and Belarusian sailors may sail as AINs
By Buttons Padin
Following the outbreak of the invasion of the Ukrainian by Russia two years ago, many international sporting organizations banned athletes from Russia and Belarus from competing in their events. World Sailing was among those organizations banning Russians and Belarusians as did the International Olympic Committee.
The IOC has just stated that sailors from these countries may not participate in the 2024 Olympic Games under their respective country’s flag, but rather may apply for berths as independent neutral athletes (AINs). World Sailing has just announced that it, too, has agreed to allow Russian and Belarusian sailors to apply for entry as AINs. Those sailors must meet the following criteria:
- Those who meet the necessary eligibility criteria will be permitted to participate as AINs in the Last Chance Regatta qualifying event in April.
- This permission will also include – for those athletes who have secured qualification – Olympic class competition between the Last Chance Regatta and the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
- World Sailing continues to recommend that athletes with a Russian or Belarusian passport should not be permitted to compete in events or classes other than those specified above.
- Those who meet the necessary eligibility criteria will be permitted to participate as AINs in competition for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, starting with the Last Chance Regatta qualifying event, to be held as part of the Semaine Olympique Francaise, 20-27 April, and finishing with the Olympic regatta in Marseille.
- This permission will also include – for those athletes who have secured qualification – Olympic class competition between the Last Chance Regatta and the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
- World Sailing continues to recommend that athletes with a Russian or Belarusian passport should not be permitted to compete in events or classes other than those specified above.
World Sailing remains wholehearted in its support for the sailors in Ukraine at what is an unimaginably difficult time. Closing this announcement, World Sailing CEO David Graham stated, “I recognize that this is a topic which causes strong feelings with many people in sailing but I also know that our community will continue to work together in the best interests of our sport.”
