In the sensitive issue of the re-admission of Russian and Belarusian athletes, the IOC recommends that the world associations set up an independent body.

This should ensure a uniform interpretation of the guidelines adopted by the International Olympic Committee for the return of athletes from both countries to world sport, the umbrella organization announced.

The body should be founded under the umbrella of the associations of summer and winter sports associations and the non-Olympic world associations, it said. The IOC had previously announced guidelines under which athletes from Russia and Belarus can again take part in competitions.

Neutral single starters

Among other things, the Olympic umbrella organization recommended that these athletes should be listed as neutral individual starters under the French abbreviation AIN. Your competition attire should be either all white or another single color. Team logos are forbidden to Russians and Belarusians, as are national symbols, flags and playing their anthems.

Athletes from both countries with connections to the military and security bodies and teams remain locked out. With regard to the decisions of the world associations, IOC President Thomas Bach said: "We have to trust them to find the best solution. There is no solution that suits everyone equally."

Authorized Russian and Belarusian athletes will be banned from showing their support for their countries and the war in Ukraine at official competitions, in interviews and on social media. According to the IOC recommendations, this also applies to national competitions in which they could qualify for international events. In the event of a violation, the world associations should impose immediate penalties.