Paris Olympics could feature only 40 Russian athletes, says IOC's Coates
Senior International Olympic Committee vice-president John Coates is unsure how many Russian athletes will compete as neutral athletes at the Paris Games, but believes reports it might be as low as 40 could be close to the mark.
![Paris Olympics could feature only 40 Russian athletes, says IOC's Coates](https://i.cbc.ca/1.7146621.1710693450!/fileImage/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/16x9_620/lasitskene-mariya-210807-1180.jpg)
![Mariya Lasitskene, pictured, won women's high jump gold for the Russian Olympic Committee three years ago in Tokyo. It's possible only 40 Russian athletes compete this summer at the Games in Paris, according to an International Olympic Committee executive member. A Russian women's high jump athlete bites her gold medal while celebrating on the podium during the victory ceremony at the Tokyo Olympics on Aug. 7, 2021.](https://i.cbc.ca/1.7146621.1710693450!/fileImage/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/16x9_620/lasitskene-mariya-210807-1180.jpg)
Senior International Olympic Committee vice-president John Coates is unsure how many Russian athletes will compete as neutral athletes at the Paris Games, but believes reports it might be as low as 40 could be close to the mark.