Europe's top human rights body on Wednesday called for Russian and Belarusian athletes to be banned from the Paris Olympics. Council of Europe President Theodoros Rousopoulos said it would be an "insult to Ukrainian athletes" if competitors from the two nations were allowed to compete.

Moscow's criticism of Olympic restrictions on Russian athletes was beyond unacceptable and had reached a "new low," the International Olympic Committee (IOC) said Wednesday. "It goes beyond anything that is acceptable," he added.

The statement by the WADA leadership that it is impossible to conduct an on-site audit of RUSADA's activities due to complex geopolitical conditions is "unfounded", RUSADA Director General Veronika Loginova told the TASS news agency.

Russia on Wednesday accused the International Olympic Committee (IOC) of "racism and neo-Nazism" over its neutrality rules for Russian Olympians and possible sanctions for athletes taking part in the Kremlin-organised Friendship Games.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) on Tuesday accused Russia of "politicising sport" by launching its so-called Friendship Games from next September. The new competition will compete with the Olympic Games, and Russian organisers are also planning a winter edition.

Russia will be asked for a ceasefire during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, which will take place from 26 July to 11 August, French President Emmanuel Macron said on Sunday "the request for a ceasefire during the Olympic Games. They (the Russians) have to do it. That's what has always happened." 

The Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanian Olympic Committees have sent a joint letter to the International Olympic Committee regarding the eligibility of Russian and Belarusian athletes to participate in the Paris 2024 Games and their presence at the Opening Ceremony.

Witold Banka, president of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), said on Tuesday that the organisation remains "deeply sceptical" about the integrity of Russian sport, but believes the situation is better than it was a decade ago.

Russia isn't considering boycotting the Paris 2024 Olympic Games," declared Russian Sports Minister Oleg Matytsinhas declared, despite the restrictions imposed on its athletes as a result of the Kremlin's offensive in Ukraine.

Now set for September in Russia. At the Olympics: win a medal. Friendship Games: win, get paid. The number one complaint athletes have about the Olympic movement is that they can't make money.

The Games of the Future's closing press conference was held in Moscow, underlining the international interest in this unique event, that introduced the concept of phygital to the world and provided the impetus for its further growth.

The International Tennis Federation (ITF) has lifted the ban on Russians and Belarusians from the Games, but its rules would prevent them from qualifying because of an impossible requirement they cannot meet due to suspensions in recent years.

The International Olympic Committee has said its executive board will decide at its next meeting whether Russian and Belarusian athletes will be allowed to take part in the opening ceremony of the Paris Games. 

The President of the Russian Rowing Federation (RFR), Alexey Svirin, made an important announcement: "A week ago, after several months of silence, we received an answer from the International Rowing Federation".