[ The International Olympic Committee (IOC) on Jan. 25 announced its plan to let Russians and Belarusians participate at Paris Olympics as “neutral athletes” despite President Volodymyr Zelensky’s call to bar them. The IOC said that it will prolong its sanctions against Russia and Belarus, which include a ban on national symbols and the invitation of government officials, but will not prevent athletes from participating “just because of their passport.” “A pathway for athletes’ participation in competition under strict conditions should therefore be further explored,” the IOC statement read. T…