Published on December 22, 2023
Equestrian
The decision has been made: Russia and Belarus will be absent from the equestrian events at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The International Equestrian Federation (FEI) confirmed this week that there is no doubt about their absence. The FEI announced in a statement, “According to the Olympic qualification systems for equestrian sports, individual qualification is ensured through the FEI Olympic rankings for show jumping, dressage, and eventing, which cover the period from January 1, 2023, to December 31, 2023. Russian and Belarusian athletes who have not participated in FEI events since March 2, 2022, will not have representatives from these nations will participate in the 2024 Paris Olympics.” Unlike most other disciplines, aside from team sports, equestrian sports have already resolved the issue just over seven months before the Games. Russian and Belarusian riders will not make the trip. The FEI also clarified in the same statement that the rule also applies to the Paralympic Games. “As with the Olympic Games, qualification events taking place in 2023, and Russian and Belarusian athletes who have not participated in FEI competitions since March 2, 2022, no ranking points could be gained, and therefore no individual qualification places could be allocated,” the statement said. Like the entire Olympic movement, the FEI had suspended Russian riders, horses, and officials after the conflict in Ukraine broke out, a decision confirmed and extended until further notice in the spring of the same year. But last November, its executive committee reviewed its position and finally accepted to authorize Russian and Belarusian athletes to participate in international competitions under a neutral status. This decision will have no effect on their participation in the upcoming Summer Olympics, which is now impossible.
Tags: equestrian
