Russian cyclist Vlasov turns down Olympics spot

• Published On: 20 June 2024 at 13:47

Due to his "very busy calendar," Russian cyclist Alexander Vlasov has declined to compete in the Olympic Games in Paris, a senior Russian sports official announced on Thursday.

The International Olympic Committee on Saturday authorised Vlasov, 28, to compete in the Games under a neutral flag, making him one of 14 Russian competitors to receive this approval.

Last year, the IOC banned Russia from the 2024 Games, but allowed its athletes to participate as neutrals as long as they refrained from openly backing the Kremlin's offensive in Ukraine.

Vyacheslav Ekimov, the chairman of the Russian Cycling Federation, told the official TASS news agency that the rider wasn't cut out for the Paris track.

He said, "And the athlete has a very busy calendar."

Vlasov finished fourth in the 2021 Giro d'Italia and won the 2022 Tour of Romandie.

On the IOC's first list of "Individual Neutral Athletes" (AINs) qualified to compete at the Paris Games, there were fourteen Russians. The remaining individuals were from road cycling and trampoline gymnastics, with the majority being wrestlers.

The athletes needed to demonstrate that they had no active support for the crisis in Ukraine or ties to the armed forces in order to be eligible for the Games. They had to pass two checks, one from their international sports federations and the other from the IOC.

As soon as other sports finish their qualifying tournaments, the IOC will update its list.

The 2024 Olympics, which will be held in Paris from July 26 to August 11, are expected to be a celebration of athletic achievement and international harmony.