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Russia’s men’s basketball team will not be allowed to compete in the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, the International Basketball Federation ruled Tuesday … as the killing in Ukraine continues.
FIBA decided to not permit the Russian squad from participating in upcoming qualifying tournaments … meaning the team will not play in the Olympics.
Bulgaria, the next highest-ranked team, will be given Russia’s place.
It’s not exactly a shocker … FIBA suspended Russia from competing shortly after the attack on Ukraine in early 2022, when President Vladimir Putin’s forces invaded the sovereign country. The fighting continues to this day.
So, the decision was expected, but nothing was official until today.
FYI, it’s not that the Russian women have been granted permission … they already missed out on qualifying due to their team being suspended over the war.
Despite today’s ruling (and similar rulings made by other governing bodies), individual Russian athletes can still compete, but they can’t rep Russia (they’re essentially neutral — countryless).
Ultimately, 12 teams will make the Olympic tourney and compete for gold … but Russia won’t be one of those teams.
The 2024 Olympics in France will begin in July and go through the end of August.