Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Saturday intensified his efforts to prevent Russian athletes from participating in the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Zelenskyy said Ukraine has written to major international sports federations asking them to clarity their position on the International Olympic Committee's plans to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete at the Olympics "under strict conditions."

The conditions include competing as neutral athletes without the use of their countries' names, emblems and anthems, according to the IOC.

"If Russian athletes appear at international competitions, it is only a matter of time before they start justifying Russia's aggression and using the symbols of terror," Zelenskyy said in a video address.

Earlier in the week, the Olympic Council of Asia said it has offered to give eligible Russian and Belarusian athletes the opportunity to take part in competitions in Asia, giving them a qualification pathway for the Paris Olympics.

Ukraine has hinted at boycotting the Olympics if Russian and Belarusian athletes are allowed to compete.


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