Paris will host the next Olympics. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The Olympic committees of five Nordic nations have backed calls for the ban on Russian and Belarusian athletes to be upheld for the Paris 2024 Games.
In a joint statement the Finnish, Icelandic, Norwegian, Swedish and Danish committees said now is not the right time to consider their return.
The IOC has said Russians and Belarusians may be allowed to compete as neutrals.
Ukraine has threatened to boycott the Paris Olympics if that plan goes ahead.
Last week, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia and Poland all voiced their opposition to the inclusion of athletes from Russia and Belarus, who were banned following the former's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Latvia's Foreign Minister said it would be "unacceptable" for athletes from the two countries to participate in 2024, while Poland's sport and tourism minister believes as many as 40 countries could boycott the next Olympics - thus making the whole event "pointless".
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says allowing Russia to compete in Paris would amount to showing that "terror is somehow acceptable".
Sports minister Grant Robertson. Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver
New Zealand's sports minister Grant Robertson said no decision has been made around Poland's suggestion of a boycott.
"We stand by the previous statements we have signed with other governments with respect to our urging of sporting bodies to restrict the activity of Russian and Belarusian athletes," said Robertson.
"These statements also acknowledge the independence from government of sporting bodies. We will consider joining further statements as they arise, and no decision has been made with respect to the Polish proposal," he said.
"Ultimately, participation at the Olympics and Paralympics by New Zealand athletes is a matter for the NZOC and Paralympics NZ."
-BBC/RNZ
