LAUSANNE: A total of 14 Russian and 11 Belarusian athletes were included on Saturday by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on an initial list of “Individual Neutral Athletes” (AINs) eligible to compete in the Paris Games.
The athletes had to qualify for the Games and pass a double check, first by the international sports federations and then by the IOC, to prove they did not actively support the war in Ukraine or have any links with their countries’ armies.
The athletes named on Saturday compete in four disciplines.
Sixteen are wrestlers. The IOC has also approved two weightlifters, three trampoline gymnasts and four road cyclists, including Aleksandr Vlasov, who was fourth in the 2021 Giro.
“Our cyclists passed the ‘test’,” Vyacheslav Ekimov, the President of the Russian Cycling Federation told Russia’s state-run TASS news agency.
“The IOC allowed us to the Olympics, although I did not expect a different development. As for Vlasov, despite all his past statements, I think he will participate in the Olympics. And with great pleasure.” Ekimov said.
The President of the Russian Trampolining Federation, Nikolai Makarov told TASS he was not entirely happy.
“The fact that the IOC has decided to admit Angela Bladtseva to the Olympics is very good news,” he said.
“But I don’t understand why another one of our contenders for the only ticket — Yana Lebedeva — is not on the list. I hope that her name will be on the next list.”
Saturday’s IOC statement also listed taekwondo, but that section included no names.
“It is absolutely true — none of our taekwondists will perform at the Olympic Games in Paris,” Vadim Ivanov, Russia’s taekwondo head coach told the state-run RIA Novosti news agency.
After initially banning the two countries’ athletes from world sport following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the IOC adjusted their regulations to allow their participation, under a neutral banner, subject to strict conditions and excluding team events.
Last March, the IOC said it was expecting 36 Russians and 22 Belarussians at the Paris Games “according to the most probable scenario,” and a “maximum” of 55 and 28 respectively.
That would be far fewer than the 330 Russians and 104 Belarusians that took part in the last Games in Tokyo in 2021.
The IOC will update its list as the final qualifying results come in.
There will be no track and field athletes. World Athletics has banned all Russians and Belarusians.
Other sports have reinstated them so late that their presence is uncertain.
On Friday, Yuliya Efimova, who has three Olympic breaststroke medals, became the first Russian swimmer to be granted neutral status for the Games although she has not yet swum a qualifying time. She also said she did not yet have a visa to travel to France.
While Moscow has finally decided not to boycott the Paris Games, some athletes may opt to. Russia’s gymnasts have said they will refuse to take part.
The neutral athletes will neither take part in the opening ceremony on the Seine nor appear in the official medal table.
In March, the IOC awarded them a dedicated flag, stamped with the letters “AIN” on an apple-green background, as well as a short composition without words, which will serve as their anthem if they win an Olympic title.
At the same time, the IOC set up the Individual Neutral Athlete Eligibility Review Panel (AINERP) to help decide which athletes to invite.
The expert panel “has been able to benefit from new information from various sources, in particular official lists of athletes affiliated to sports clubs of the armed and security forces, published on official websites in Russia and Belarus,” said the IOC.
IOC issues first list of Russians and Belarusians eligible for Olympics
https://arab.news/p8fky
IOC issues first list of Russians and Belarusians eligible for Olympics

- The athletes had to qualify for the Games and pass a double check, first by the international sports federations and then by the IOC
- The athletes named on Saturday compete in four disciplines
Russia hopes for ‘return to Olympic fold’ under Coventry

- “We look forward to a stronger, more independent, and more prosperous Olympic movement under a new leader, and to Russia returning to the Olympic podium,” Degtyaryov said
- One of the major problems Coventry will face will be the return to the Olympic fold of exiled Russia
MOSCOW: Russia hoped for a return from sporting exile on Thursday, believing the historic election of Kirsty Coventry as International Olympic Committee president will lead to a “stronger, more independent Olympic movement.”
“We look forward to a stronger, more independent, and more prosperous Olympic movement under a new leader, and to Russia returning to the Olympic podium,” Russian sports minister Mikhail Degtyaryov, who is also head of the Russian Olympic committee, wrote on his Telegram account.
One of the major problems Coventry will face will be the return to the Olympic fold of exiled Russia.
In Paris last year their athletes were forced to compete under a neutral banner, owing to the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
“On behalf of the Russian Olympic Committee, I congratulate Kirsty Coventry on her election as President of the International Olympic Committee!,” added Degtyaryov.
“Her brilliant sporting career, Olympic victories, records, and contribution to the development of sport have made her one of the favorites in this campaign.”
Russia dogged outgoing IOC president Thomas Bach’s tenure first with the doping scandal at the 2014 Sochi Winter Games and then Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.
MLB star Mookie Betts to own first franchise team from new World Bowling League

- WBL reveals Team OMG as its first team, with others to be announced soon
- “Bowling has always been my home away from the diamond,” said Betts
LOS ANGELES: The World Bowling League has revealed its first franchise team, Team OMG, owned by Los Angeles Dodgers superstar and world-class bowler Mookie Betts, who will be joined by his lifelong friend and business partner with The One Marketing Group, Cam Lewis.
The announcement marks the official launch of the WBL’s franchise lineup, setting the stage for a new era in the sport of bowling.
The WBL, announced in 2024, combines new rules, mixed-gender teams, iconic locations and dynamic team-based gameplay to reimagine the sport of bowling, which is already played by hundreds of millions of people across the world. The WBL, via multiple broadcasting deals in place, will look to deliver fast-paced bowling action across key markets worldwide and provide a global stage for the world’s best bowlers.
Betts is a three-time World Series champion, eight-time All-Star, six-time Gold Glove Award-winner, seven-time Silver Slugger Award-winner and MVP-winner. He is also a lifelong bowling enthusiast who is ready to lead his team into a new era for the sport.
“Bowling has always been my home away from the diamond,” said Betts. “It’s a sport of precision, mindset and community – values I’ve carried my entire career. With Team OMG, we want to inspire bowlers and fans everywhere, showing them that bowling has the excitement and the commercial appeal to compete with the world’s best sports leagues. We’re excited to partner with Adi and the World Bowling League, and look forward to bowling along with our team in New York, Dubai, Singapore and more exciting locations.”
The WBL is owned and operated by League Sports Co., a pioneering sports tech holding company that is committed to pushing the boundaries of sports and entertainment. LSC invests in and operates cutting-edge sports brands and adapts them to the ever-evolving digital era.
“We are here to break boundaries, unite communities and bring bowling into the spotlight,” said LSC Founder and CEO Adi K Mishra. “Mookie Betts and Team OMG embody everything this league stands for — focus, energy and relentless dedication. Mookie is a world-class athlete and a true ambassador for bowling. His passion for the game and his vision for its future align perfectly with what we’re building at the World Bowling League.”
At Team OMG, Betts and business partner Cam Lewis are dedicated to building a culture, community and winning mentality. While setting the tone for the league’s future, Team OMG aims to inspire a new generation of athletes and fans to view bowling in a whole new light. Team OMG’s announcement marks the beginning of a series of exciting franchises in the WBL. With more teams backed by celebrities and iconic sports figures as well as partnerships with global brands to be announced soon, the WBL is poised to make history and redefine the sport.
Summer fight night sees UFC return to Abu Dhabi

- The event will take place at Etihad Arena, Yas Island, in July
- UFC’s return to the UAE capital follows two spectacular events last year
ABU DHABI: The world’s premier mixed martial arts organization, Ultimate Fighting Championship, has announced its return to Abu Dhabi this summer.
The summer fight night, in partnership with the Department of Culture and Tourism, will take place at the Etihad Arena on Yas Island on July 26.
UFC’s return to the UAE capital follows two spectacular events last year.
In August, fans were treated to an elite bantamweight showdown at UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen vs Nurmagomedov, where Umar Nurmagomedov secured a hard-fought victory over Cory Sandhagen with a five-round decision. Then, in October, UFC 308: Topuria vs Holloway saw Spain’s Ilia Topuria defend his featherweight title with a stunning third-round knockout over top contender Max Holloway.
With 20 events held in the emirate since 2010, UFC has become a mainstay in the region’s sports and entertainment calendar through its long-term partnership with DCT Abu Dhabi.
The upcoming fight card for Yas Island will be announced in the coming weeks.
Belgian club Anderlecht fire coach and rehire Besnik Hasi to the end of the season

- Anderlecht finished the regular season in fourth place
BRUSSELS: Belgium’s most successful club, Anderlecht, have fired coach David Hubert and replaced him with Besnik Hasi until the end of the season.
Thursday’s move came as the Belgian league enter their playoff phase.
Anderlecht finished the regular season in fourth place.
The 53-year-old Hasi, who also coached teams in Poland, Greece and Saudi Arabia, is returning to Anderlecht after guiding the team to the league title in 2014. He also played for the Brussels team.
“I know this club and the expectations that come with it,” he said. “It is a pleasure to once again lead the first team.”
Anderlecht won the most recent of its record 34 Belgian league titles in 2017.
Barcelona, Osasuna appeals rejected over rearranged match date

- The La Liga leaders will host Osasuna on March 27
- Osasuna also appealed against the new date
BARCELONA: Barcelona and Osasuna’s appeals against the rescheduled date of their postponed La Liga match were rejected Thursday by the Spanish football federation’s appeals committee.
The La Liga leaders will host Osasuna on March 27, after the game was canceled when a Barcelona club doctor died on the original date, March 8.
Barcelona appealed against the new date because it allowed some of their players “insufficient time to rest” following international duty.
“Precedent... establishes that national team call-ups are not sufficient grounds for rescheduling a match... when the team effected has enough players to play the match,” said the federation’s appeals committee.
Winger Raphinha is part of Brazil’s squad for a World Cup qualifier at Argentina set to kick-off at 0000 GMT on March 26, while defender Ronald Araujo travels with Uruguay to visit Bolivia on March 25 at 2000 GMT.
Osasuna also appealed against the new date because they would be left with less than 72 hours rest before their next match, which was scheduled for March 28 at Athletic Bilbao.
The committee said the Bilbao match would be moved to March 30, to allow Osasuna recovery time.