LAUSANNE, Switzerland, Dec. 11 (Xinhua) -- The Olympic Summit announced Thursday to support the International Olympic Committee (IOC)'s recommendation that youth athletes with a Russian or Belarusian passport should no longer be restricted in their access to international youth competitions, in both individual and team sports.
During the IOC executive board meetings held from Tuesday to Wednesday, the IOC EB recommended to lift restrictions on youth athletes from the two countries in international youth events.
"The Summit supported the IOC EB's recommendation that youth athletes with a Russian or Belarusian passport should no longer be restricted in their access to international youth competitions, in both individual and team sports," IOC announced in a statement.
IOC explained the definition of youth competitions and the application of these recommendations depends for this purpose on the regulations of each International Federation (IF).
According to the statement, the standard protocols of the International Federation (IF) or the International Sports Event Organizer regarding flags, anthems, uniforms and other elements should apply. The above principles should also apply to the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, and are recommended for adoption by all IFs and International Sports Event Organizers for their own youth events.
The Summit made the announcement of "reaffirms athletes' fundamental rights to access sport without political interference", saying, "During the wide-ranging discussion, the importance of political neutrality for the Olympic Movement was acknowledged, as it allows athletes to access sport across the world without interference. At the same time, it was highlighted that the concept of political neutrality within the Olympic Movement and sport needs clearer definition, and its practical application should be further clarified."
The leading representatives of the Olympic Movement met on Thursday for the 14th Olympic Summit at Olympic House, at the invitation of the IOC. ■