Ukraine
FILE - A women's singles table tennis match is being played at the 2012 Summer Olympics, on July 31, 2012, in London. Table tennis’ governing body plans to allow Russian players back into its events on advice from the International Olympic Committee. The decision by the International Table Tennis Federation paves the way for players from Russia and its ally Belarus to end a year-long exclusion from competitions during Russia’s war in Ukraine.(AP Photo/Sergei Grits, File)
Table tennis plans to allow Russians back, on IOC advice

Mar. 30, 2023 12:24 PM EDT

No quick Paralympics decision on Russia, Belarus athletes

Mar. 30, 2023 06:43 AM EDT
BONN, Germany (AP) — The International Paralympic Committee has no plans to review the status of Russia for months after the IOC laid out its preferred formula for...

International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach, right, speaks at the opening of the executive board meeting of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in Lausanne, Switzerland, Tuesday, March 28, 2023. The IOC Executive Board is set to discuss the results of consultations regarding the status of athletes from Russia and Belarus in its meeting set to run until March 30. (Laurent Gillieron/Keystone via AP)
IOC details advice to let Russia, Belarus athletes return

By Graham Dunbar And James Ellingworth Mar. 28, 2023 10:59 AM EDT

FILE - Fencers compete in the men's individual semifinal Sabre competition at the 2020 Summer Olympics, on July 24, 2021, in Chiba, Japan. Four national fencing federations say the International Fencing Federation has voted to allow athletes from Russia and its ally Belarus to resume competing in international events. They have been excluded for more than a year because of the invasion of Ukraine. The decision appears to allow Russians and Belarusians to compete for qualifying spots for next year’s Paris Olympics. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
Hundreds of fencers protest against letting Russians compete

Mar. 28, 2023 05:43 AM EDT

Members of the Geneva branch of Ukrainian society in Switzerland protest during a rally to urge International Olympic Committee to reconsider their decision of participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes under white neutral flag at the next 2024 Paris Olympic Games, in front of the IOC headquarters, in Lausanne, Switzerland, Saturday, March 25, 2023. (Jean-Christophe Bott/Keystone via AP)
UN expert advising IOC gives views on Russians at Olympics

By Graham Dunbar Mar. 27, 2023 06:43 AM EDT

FILE - A Russian flag is held above the Olympic Rings at Adler Arena Skating Center during the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia on Feb. 18, 2014. Russia and its ally Belarus have been invited to compete at the Asian Games in the next step to qualify athletes for next year's Paris Olympics. One year after the invasion of Ukraine began, Russia's reintegration into the world of sports threatens to create the biggest rift in the Olympic movement since the Cold War. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File)
Track stymies Russian path to Olympics due to war in Ukraine

By Eddie Pells Mar. 23, 2023 01:38 PM EDT

FILE - International Olympic Committee, IOC, President Thomas Bach attends the opening of the Executive Board meeting at the Olympic House in Lausanne, Switzerland, on Dec. 5, 2022. Bach defended his organization's efforts to create a pathway for Russian and Belarusian athletes to return to Olympic competition in a speech in his home country of Germany which took place amid a pro-Ukraine protest, Wednesday, March 22, 2023, (Denis Balibouse/Pool Photo via AP, File)
IOC's Bach defends Russia stance amid pro-Ukraine protest

Mar. 22, 2023 06:15 PM EDT

Paris Olympics organizers looking for 45,000 volunteers

Mar. 21, 2023 07:04 AM EDT
PARIS (AP) — The Paris Olympics is putting out a call for 45,000 helpers. Organizers of the 2024 Games are launching a drive this week to recruit tens...

FILE - The Olympic rings are seen on the Place du Trocadero that overlooks the Eiffel Tower, after the vote in Lima, Peru, awarding the 2024 Games to the French capital, in Paris, Sept. 13, 2017. Organizers of the Paris 2024 Olympics promised Games with a relatively modest price tag and "egalitarian" access to events, thanks to an online draw meant to revolutionize ticket sales and bring the masses to next year's Olympics with prices as low as 24 euros ($26). But as the first round of ticketing winds down, many "lucky" winners chosen for the draw are feeling frustrated, angry and cheated, as their only option during the 48-hour purchasing window was paying at least 200 euros per ticket for the few remaining events on offer. (AP Photo/Francois Mori, File)
Britain lobbies Olympic sponsors over IOC's Russia stance

Mar. 10, 2023 07:02 PM EST

FILE - Fencers compete in the men's individual semifinal Sabre competition at the 2020 Summer Olympics, on July 24, 2021, in Chiba, Japan. Four national fencing federations say the International Fencing Federation has voted to allow athletes from Russia and its ally Belarus to resume competing in international events. They have been excluded for more than a year because of the invasion of Ukraine. The decision appears to allow Russians and Belarusians to compete for qualifying spots for next year’s Paris Olympics. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
Fencing votes to let Russians compete ahead of Olympics

Mar. 10, 2023 02:19 PM EST

FILE - The Olympic rings are set up at Trocadero plaza that overlooks the Eiffel Tower, a day after the official announcement that the 2024 Summer Olympic Games will be in the French capital, in Paris, France, on Sept. 14, 2017. One year after the invasion of Ukraine began, Russia's reintegration into the world of sports threatens to create the biggest rift in the Olympic movement since the Cold War.(AP Photo//Michel Euler, File)
Paris Olympics sports bodies seek IOC clarity on Russia

By Graham Dunbar Mar. 03, 2023 11:42 AM EST

A man watches the construction site of the Olympic Village at the Porta Romana former railway yard, in Milan, Italy, Wednesday, March 1, 2023. There is little sign the Winter Olympics are coming to Milan in less than three years. One of the major sites is still an overgrown wasteland and there is minimal construction work at what will be the Olympic Village. The organizing committee for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics says there have been delays and rising costs. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
Little sign of Olympics in Milan with only 3 years to go

By Daniella Matar Mar. 01, 2023 06:59 AM EST

FILE - Ukraine supporters unfurl a "Stop War" banner on the stands during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between Ukraine and Armenia, in Lodz, Poland, on June 11, 2022. One year after the invasion of Ukraine began, Russia's reintegration into the world of sports threatens to create the biggest rift in the Olympic movement since the Cold War. (AP Photo/Michal Dyjuk)
Armenia vs Ukraine 6/11/2022

Feb. 22, 2023 09:28 AM EST

FILE - Leicester's goalkeeper and Denmark international Kasper Schmeichel wears a T-shirt, saying 'Football Stands United - No War' with the flag of Ukraine on it, as he warms up prior to the English Premier League soccer match between Burnley and Leicester City at Turf Moor stadium in Burnley, England, on March 1, 2022. The players were wearing the shirts in protest against the Russian invasion of Ukraine. One year after the invasion of Ukraine began, Russia's reintegration into the world of sports threatens to create the biggest rift in the Olympic movement since the Cold War. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
Leicester City vs Burnley FC 3/1/2022

Feb. 22, 2023 09:28 AM EST

FILE - Olena Kostevych and Bogdan Nikishin, of Ukraine, carry their country's flag during the opening ceremony in the Olympic Stadium at the 2020 Summer Olympics, on July 23, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. Ukraine has stepped up efforts to lobby international sports leaders against Russian participation in next year’s Paris Olympics as indications mount that the games could see the biggest boycott since the Cold War. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File)
IOC responds to Paris mayor on Olympic plan for Russians

By Graham Dunbar Feb. 08, 2023 10:14 AM EST

Ukraine's Ivan Kovbasnyuk speeds down the course during the super G portion of an alpine ski, men's World Championship combined race, in Courchevel, France, Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Gabriele Facciotti)
Ukrainian skier pushes to keep Russians out of the Olympics

By Andrew Dampf Feb. 07, 2023 02:13 PM EST

FILE - A Russian flag is held above the Olympic Rings at Adler Arena Skating Center during the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia on Feb. 18, 2014. Russia and its ally Belarus have been invited to compete at the Asian Games in the next step to qualify athletes for next year’s Paris Olympics. The arrangement has been brokered by the International Olympic Committee. The IOC indicated on Wednesday that it favours allowing Russians to compete at the 2024 Olympics as neutral athletes. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File)
Paris mayor: No Russian team at 2024 Games if war continues

Feb. 07, 2023 07:36 AM EST

FILE - A woman passes by the Olympic rings at the City Hall in Paris, on July 25, 2022. Latvia is threatening to boycott next year’s Paris Olympics if athletes from Russia and its ally Belarus are allowed to take part after Russia's invasion of Ukraine. (AP Photo/Lewis Joly, File)
Nordic sports bodies urge IOC to ban Russian athletes

Feb. 07, 2023 07:21 AM EST

FILE - A Russian flag is held above the Olympic Rings at Adler Arena Skating Center during the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia on Feb. 18, 2014. Russia and its ally Belarus have been invited to compete at the Asian Games in the next step to qualify athletes for next year’s Paris Olympics. The arrangement has been brokered by the International Olympic Committee. The IOC indicated on Wednesday that it favours allowing Russians to compete at the 2024 Olympics as neutral athletes. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File)
Column: IOC talks tough on Russia — until Paris on horizon

By Paul Newberry Feb. 03, 2023 04:29 PM EST

Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte speaks at a joint news conference with Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas and Latvian Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins during their meeting in Tallinn, Estonia, Friday, Feb. 3, 2023. The prime ministers of the three Baltic countries meet in Tallinn to discuss, among other things, joint aid efforts for Ukraine. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin)
Baltic leaders: Olympic boycott possible if Russians compete

Feb. 03, 2023 07:43 AM EST