Five Scandinavian countries demand banning Russian and Belarusian athletes from Olympics 

This is announced in a joint statement by the NOCs of Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Iceland and Norway.

"The situation with the war in Ukraine has not changed. Therefore, we stand firm in our position, not to open for Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials in international sports participation. Now is not the right time to consider their return; that is our position," the message said. 

This statement was addressed to the International Olympic Committee, the European Olympic Committees, the International Paralympic Committee, the European Paralympic Committees, and the Association of National Olympic Committees.

• On January 27, the head of the IOC, Thomas Bach, said that he supports the Russian and Belarusian participation in the 2024 Olympics, even though Ukraine threatens to boycott the Games.

• On February 1, the International Olympic Committee announced that it would adhere to the sanctions against Russian and Belarusian athletes that were approved in December 2022.

• On February 3, Poland and the Baltic countries published a joint statement against the Russians and Belarusians participating in the Olympics.