Russian, Belarusian athletes to be barred from competing in European Games in Poland

European Olympic Committees (EOC) President Spyros Capralos says the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes at the 2023 European Games in the current circumstances is "impossible".

Capralos was speaking at a media conference following the first Coordination Commission meeting in the run-up to the Kraków-Małopolska 2023 European Games, due to be held from June 21 to July 2, Inside the Games reports.

Asked about the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes at the event Capralos said: "I know this question is on the minds of many of you.

"So I have to be very clear on my answer - under the current circumstances, the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes is impossible."

Earlier this month Organising Committee President Marcin Nowak told insidethegames he believed it was "not possible" to host Russian and Belarusian athletes at the event because "nobody would agree to it", but admitted the decision was out of his hands.

Around 7,000 athletes from 25 sports are set to take part in the multi-sport event, and Capralos said he was confident following the two-day visit to Poland that preparations were on track.