Several Palestinian athletes are allowed to attend the Games, even if they do not qualify | Sports Other

President Thomas Bach of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced the news in an interview with the news agency. AFP. The German expects that six to eight Palestinian athletes will participate in the Games.

“We have made it clear that even if no Palestinian athlete is able to qualify through sporting means, the Palestinian Olympic Committee can count on invitations, just like other national Olympic committees that do not have qualified athletes,” Bach said.

Bach stressed that the IOC has supported Palestinian athletes “in various ways from day one of the conflict in Gaza to enable them to participate in the qualifications and continue their training.”

The IOC will only allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete in the Games under a neutral flag, due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Palestinian athletes are allowed to compete under the Palestinian flag. “The situation in Ukraine is completely different from the conflict in Gaza,” Bach said.

The Games in Paris start on July 26 and last until August 11.