USOPC sees ‘impossible’ hurdle to Russian return to Olympics

By EDDIE PELLS
AP National Writer

The leader of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee concedes it would be “impossible” to monitor which athletes have supported the war in Ukraine if a plan is devised to allow some Russians to compete as neutrals in international competitions, and potentially the Olympics. USOPC chair Susanne Lyons says the federation supported last week’s decision at an IOC summit to explore a pathway for Russian athletes back into competition. Among the conditions would be that those athletes would be subject to a strict ban on displaying Russian flags and colors, and that they could not have backed the war.