Paris 2024 Olympics: Obstacles for Russian and Belarusian Tennis Stars Amid ITF Lifted Ban

The International Tennis Federation (ITF) has lifted the ban on Russian and Belarusian tennis players for the Paris 2024 Olympics allowing them to compete as Individual Neutral Athletes (INA) and Neutral Paralympic Athletes (NPA).

However, a major obstacle arises as they must meet eligibility requirements including having participated in ITF Davis Cup or ITF Billie Jean King Cup competitions during the Olympic cycle. Due to recent suspensions related to the war in Ukraine Russian and Belarusian players are unable to fulfill this criterion.

While there is a slim chance for exceptions, the majority of athletes from these countries face significant challenges in qualifying for the Games.