Countries threaten to boycott Olympics over Russian, Belarusian athletes I DW News

The funeral of Ukrainian decathlete Volodymyr Androshchuk has taken place in western Ukraine. He was struck in the head by shrapnel last week while fighting Russian forces near Bakhmut, the current epicenter of the conflict. The 22-year-old was a national youth champion.

His death has intensified calls for the International Olympic Committee not to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes at next year's Paris Games. Poland's sports minister has said that as many as 40 countries could boycott the 2024 Paris Olympics if Russia and Belarus take part. 

The International Olympic Committee is considering allowing Russian and Belarusian athletes to participate - but only under a neutral flag. It says nobody should be prevented from competing because of their nationality - and insists a boycott would only punish athletes.

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