The Olympic Committee of Asia (OCA) supported the statement of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on the need to return Russians and Belarusians to international sports.

A message appeared on the OKA website inviting athletes from the two countries to compete at the 2023 Asian Games.

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OKA believes in the unifying power of sport and that all athletes, regardless of their nationality or passport, should be able to compete in sport. OKA invited Russian and Belarusian athletes to take part in competitions in Asia, including the Asian Games.

The Asian Olympic Committee remains on standby as the IOC continues to explore with IFs ways to bring Russian and Belarusian athletes back to compete under strict conditions,"

Recall, the International Olympic Committee called for the representatives of the Russian Federation and Belarus to be allowed to compete in a neutral status, provided that they were not seen actively supporting the war in Ukraine..

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Earlier it was reported that Russia and Belarus were deprived of the right to free broadcast of the Olympics in 2026-2032.