It was expected: divisions are emerging in the Olympic movement after the IOC Executive Board recommended the reinstatement of Russian and Belarusian athletes. Fencing, table tennis, taekwondo and wrestling have followed suit since mid-March. Conversely, equestrian sports have now joined the opposite camp, with athletics in particular. The International Equestrian Federation (FEI) announced that it was maintaining the suspension of Russian and Belarusian riders and officials. The decision was taken this week at an online meeting of the FEI’s board of directors. FEI President Ingmar De Vos, who is also an IOC member, explained: “At this stage, the neutrality (imposed by the IOC for Russian and Belarusian participation) cannot be sufficiently defined and assessed.”
