The Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) has paid more than 200 million rubles ($2 million) in compensation to athletes barred from this summer's Paris Olympics.
The money will be distributed among a total of 245 athletes who were either banned by international federations from participating in the qualifying tournaments or did not learn neutral status from the IOC to participate in Paris. ROC General Director Vladimir Sengeleev announced that the compensations had already been paid, but did not reveal the names of the athletes or how much each of them would receive.
Currently, only 16 Russian athletes will participate in the Games in Paris under a neutral flag. Three years ago in Tokyo, their number was 335. Recently, Russian wrestlers and judo athletes announced that they will not participate in the Olympics, although they have such a right, because they believe that the sanctions imposed by the IOC are unfair.
The Olympic Games in Paris will be held from July 26 to August 11. | BGNES
