IOC Executive Board receives updates on activities of NOCs

New athlete invited to join the IOC Refugee Olympic Team Paris 2024

The EB decided to extend an invitation to Dominic Lobalu (athletics) to join and be a full member of the IOC Refugee Olympic Team Paris 2024.

Considering that Lobalu has a refugee status in Switzerland, verified by the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), and has recently achieved the World Athletics standard for participation in the Olympic Games (5,000m), he is fully eligible to be included in the IOC Refugee Olympic Team with immediate effect.

Although Lobalu was recently allowed by World Athletics to represent Switzerland in World Athletics competitions (despite not having Swiss nationality), the EB confirmed that he is not eligible to represent Switzerland at the Olympic Games Paris 2024 because he is currently not a Swiss national, in accordance with Rule 41.1 of the Olympic Charter.

Should he accept the IOC’s invitation, Lobalu will join the 36 athletes who were selected to be part of the EOR Paris 2024 last month.

Gender-equal team for Afghanistan in Paris

The EB was informed that there will be a gender-equal team competing for Afghanistan at the Olympic Games Paris 2024. This is the result of the ongoing work that the IOC has been undertaking over the last few years, working closely with the NOC of Afghanistan recognised by the IOC, to ensure that female athletes can participate in the Games.

The team will be composed of six athletes:

• three men competing in athletics, swimming and judo, and
• three women competing in athletics and cycling.

The EB confirmed that the IOC-recognised NOC and its leadership (including the NOC President and NOC Secretary General in exile) continue to be the IOC’s only interlocutor for the preparation and participation of the Afghan NOC team in the Olympic Games Paris 2024. No representative of the de facto authorities/Taliban government will be accredited for these Games.

Ongoing support to the NOC and athletes of Sudan

The EB reiterated its support to the NOC of Sudan, which has been operating in exile since the civil war broke out, forcing its leadership and staff to flee the country.

To allow the NOC to continue to perform its activities, the IOC will:

• provide ongoing support for the preparation and participation of the Sudanese athletes and the NOC delegation at the Olympic Games Paris 2024. The NOC of Sudan’s estimated team size in Paris is currently between 3 and 9 athletes, with one athlete currently qualified in athletics;
• support the NOC leadership so that they can continue to operate while in exile; and
• explore together with the Olympic Refuge Foundation the possibilities to assist displaced people through sport.

NOC of Israel and NOC of Palestine

The IOC continues to be in constant contact with the two NOCs and to do its utmost, under these extremely difficult circumstances and within its remit, to help the Olympic community and the athletes from both NOCs in their preparations and qualification for the Olympic Games Paris 2024.

In particular, the IOC has been monitoring the situation closely with the two NOCs and the International Federations concerned to facilitate the athletes’ participation in international sports competitions, including the qualification competitions for Paris 2024, despite a number of travel restrictions.