Olympic gold medallist Dick Fosbury, who revolutionised the high jump with his 'Fosbury Flop' technique, has died at the age of 76.

Fosbury won a gold medal for the United States at the 1968 games in Mexico City using a novel back-first technique that is commonplace among high jumpers today.

By clearing 2.24 metres with the technique – which he began to experiment with in school – in the event's final, Fosbury set a then-Olympic and United States record.

Fosbury's agent Ray Schulte confirmed his death on Instagram on Monday, writing: "It is with a very heavy heart I have to release the news that longtime friend and client Dick Fosbury passed away peacefully in his sleep early Sunday morning after a short bout with a recurrence of lymphoma."

USA Track & Field, the nation's athletics governing body, called Fosbury "a true legend and innovator" on Twitter, adding: "Fosbury's legacy will live on for generations to come."

International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach also paid tribute, saying: "Dick Fosbury wrote unforgettable Olympic history by revolutionising the high jump at the Olympic Games Mexico 1968. 

"The games would never be the same again after he won the gold medal at those games, 'flopping' across the bar.

"Dick Fosbury was always true to the Olympic values and served the Olympic movement in a number of functions, including as president of the World Olympians Association.

"He will forever be remembered as an outstanding Olympic champion. Our thoughts are with his family and friends."

Hosts France are among 34 countries to have asked the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to ban Russian and Belarusian athletes from the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

The United States, the United Kingdom and Australia are also among those to have called for a ban to be imposed.

A joint-statement released on Monday detailed reasoning based around "Russia's unprovoked and unjustifiable war of choice [against Ukraine], facilitated by the Belarusian government."

Russia's sports minister, Oleg Matytsin, said earlier this month that it was "absolutely unacceptable" for governments to attempt to influence the IOC.

The IOC confirmed last month it intended to uphold sanctions against Russian and Belarusian state and government officials ahead of next year's Games in the French capital, but added it would explore opportunities for athletes from both nations to compete under a neutral flag.

Monday's statement from the 34 countries addressed that plan, welcoming "the IOC’s reaffirmation and reinforcement of their existing sanctions in place" while suggesting their neutrality comments raised "many questions and concerns".

"While recognising the autonomy of sports bodies, given the invasion of Ukraine and its devastation is ongoing, we agreed that the IOC's proposal on exploring a pathway back to competition for individual Russian and Belarusian athletes raises many questions and concerns," the statement read.

The signatories also referenced a lack of "clarity" around the neutrality model as a key reason why athletes from the two countries should not be present in Paris.

"We have strong concerns on how feasible it is for Russian and Belarusian Olympic athletes to compete as 'neutrals' – under the IOC's conditions of no identification with their country – when they are directly funded and supported by their states," the statement continued.

"The strong links and affiliations between Russian athletes and the Russian military are also of clear concern. Our collective approach throughout has therefore never been one of discrimination simply on the basis of nationality, but these strong concerns need to be dealt with by the IOC.

"As long as these fundamental issues and the substantial lack of clarity and concrete detail on a workable 'neutrality' model are not addressed, we do not agree that Russian and Belarusian athletes should be allowed back into competition."

The statement finished by outlining the position would be altered should the war in Ukraine be ended, saying: "We also note that Russia and Belarus have it in their own hands to pave the way for their athletes' full return to the international sports community, namely by ending the war they started."

Russia's sports minister has attacked politicians' demands to block athletes from the country competing at the Olympic Games in Paris next year.

Oleg Matytsin said it was "absolutely unacceptable" for governments to attempt to influence the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

His reaction on Saturday followed Lithuanian sports minister Jurgita Siugzdiniene announcing there was a "unanimous" view from a group of around 35 countries that athletes from Russia and Belarus should be banned from the Paris 2024 Games.

The stance comes amid the invasion of Ukraine, with ministers from countries including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Germany and Australia, reportedly opposing Russian and Belarusian athletes being allowed to take part, even under a neutral flag.

A virtual meeting of sports ministers, also attended by Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelenskyy, was held on Friday.

Zelenskyy said the presence of competitors from Russia "cannot be covered up with some pretended neutrality or a white flag", saying their presence would be a "manifestation of violence and lawlessness".

Matytsin told reporters, according to Russian news agency TASS, that other nations had no right to put pressure on Olympic chiefs.

He said: "This is a direct intervention of ministers in the activities of independent international sports organisations, an attempt to dictate the conditions for the participation of athletes in international competitions, which is absolutely unacceptable.

"Moreover, more than a month ago, the national Olympic committees of these countries supported the decision of the IOC on the participation of our athletes in competitions.

"These countries are putting pressure on the activities of independent public organisations, which they tried to accuse us of. Now we see an undisguised desire to destroy the unity of international sports and the international Olympic movement, to make sport a means of pressure in order to resolve political issues."

Matytsin said sport should instead be used "to be an ambassador of peace and build bridges between peoples".

Athletes from Ukraine have accused the IOC of "being on the wrong side of history" as Games organisers consider whether athletes from Russia and Belarus, which has supported Russian invasion efforts, should be able to take part in Paris.

IOC president Thomas Bach previously criticised Ukrainian calls for a boycott of the Olympics if Russians and Belarusians are allowed to take part.

In a statement issued in conjunction with union Global Athlete, Ukraine's Olympic committee said allowing Russia to compete would enable the country to "use the athletes to bolster the war effort and distract from the atrocities in Ukraine".

Ukraine's athletes have accused the International Olympic Committee (IOC) of "being on the wrong side of history" amid the latter's stance on Russian athletes at Paris 2024.

Ukraine, who were invaded by their neighbours last year, were incensed by the IOC examining whether to allow representatives from Russia and Belarus to compete under a neutral flag in next year's global showpiece.

IOC president Thomas Bach criticised threats made by Ukraine to subsequently boycott the Games as a violation of the Olympic charter, further angering the nation.

In a statement issued in conjunction with union Global Athlete, the country's National Olympic Committee accused the IOC of allowing Russia to sportswash its crimes.

"The IOC is rewarding [Russian president Vladimir] Putin's aggression while the death and destruction of his victims are being ignored," they wrote. "The IOC must choose a side in this war.

"The Russian state [used] its home Olympic Games in 2014, along with a state-sponsored doping program, to build goodwill both at home and abroad before annexing Crimea.

"In 2022 it did the same, using the Beijing Games to strengthen its bond with China before invading Ukraine.

"Russia has promoted athletes to prominent positions in the armed forces and touted athletic success as signs of Russian superiority.

"These actions have been possible because Russia has manipulated and controlled the governing bodies of sport to its advantage.

"The IOC continues to be on the wrong side of history. Sponsors, host cities, and national governments must stop tolerating the IOC's kowtowing to Russia."

The statement comes after former Olympic medallist and current world heavyweight boxing champion Oleksandr Usyk urged the IOC to uphold bans against Russian and Belarusian athletes.

Oleksandr Usyk has urged the International Olympic Committee (IOC) not to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete at the 2024 Olympics under a neutral banner, saying any medals they win will be "medals of blood".

The IOC last month pledged to "explore a pathway" for Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete as neutrals in Paris, stating "no athlete should be prevented from competing because of their passport".

Russian and Belarusian athletes are currently banned from Olympic competition after Vladimir Putin's regime launched an invasion of Ukraine last February.

Ukraine has threatened to boycott the games if Russian and Belarusian athletes are allowed to take part, while several other nations have supported calls for the countries to remain excluded.

Mayor of Paris Anne Hidalgo recently backed suggestions their athletes could compete under a neutral flag, although she has since backtracked on the comments, saying: "It is not possible to parade as if nothing has happened".

In a video posted to his Instagram account, Usyk addressed IOC president Thomas Bach directly, adding his voice to calls for the countries to remain sidelined. 

"Dear Mr Bach, I would like to address you," Usyk said. "I am a Ukrainian athlete; I won an Olympic gold in boxing in 2012. I am the current world heavyweight champion and my name is Oleksandr Usyk.

"You want to allow Russian athletes to compete at the Olympics. Russian armed forces invaded our country and kill civilians. 

"The Russian Army is killing Ukrainian athletes and coaches and destroying sports grounds as well as sports halls. The medals that Russian athletes are going to win are medals of blood, death and tears.

"Let me wish that you have a peaceful sky above you and for you to be in good health and happy."

Sanctions imposed by the IOC against Russia and Belarus include no international sports events being organised or supported in either country by a National Olympic Committee, while no sports meeting or event is allowed to fly Russian and Belarusian flags or colours.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has reiterated it will stand by sanctions imposed against Russia and Belarus after appearing to open the door for their inclusion at Paris 2024.

The two nations are currently banned from Olympic competition following Russia's invasion of Ukraine last year.

But IOC statements last month appeared to clear a pathway for the inclusion of athletes from both countries to compete under a neutral flag.

Now, however, the governing body has sought to reaffirm its stance, in particular as a response to comments made by Stanislav Pozdnyakov, head of Russia's Olympic Committee

"The sanctions against the Russian and Belarusian States and Governments are not negotiable," it said in a statement.

"They have been unanimously confirmed by the recent Olympic Summit meeting on 9 December 2022."

Sanctions reiterated by the IOC include no international sports events being organised or supported in either country by a National Olympic Committee.

In addition, no sports meeting or event is allowed to fly Russian and Belarusian flags or colours, while government and state officials are barred from attendance.

The decision to potentially let athletes from both countries compete next year has enraged Ukraine, who could boycott the event in protest.

President Volodymyr Zelensky doubled down on criticism of the IOC, stating that the inclusion of Russian or Belarusian athletes would tell "the whole world that terror is somehow acceptable".

Russian athletes competed under the flag of the Russian Olympic Committee rather than their country at Tokyo 2020 amid a suspension from the World Anti-Doping Agency.

Volodymyr Zelensky says the International Olympic Committee (IOC) would be telling "the whole world that terror is somehow acceptable" should Russian and Belarusian athletes be able to compete at Paris 2024.

The IOC confirmed last week it intended to uphold sanctions against Russian and Belarusian state and government officials ahead of next year's Olympics in the French capital, but added it would explore opportunities for athletes from both nations to compete under a neutral flag.

Ukraine subsequently threatened to boycott the games, unless the IOC reversed its decision.

Having already confirmed his opposition to the IOC's plans, Zelensky went a step further in his nightly address to the Ukrainian people on Sunday.

"Attempts by the International Olympic Committee to bring Russian athletes back into the Olympic Games are attempts to tell the whole world that terror is somehow acceptable," president Zelensky said.

"As if you could shut your eyes to what Russia is doing in Kherson, Kharkiv, Bakhmut and Avdiivka.

"[Russia] cannot use the Olympics or any other sport event as propaganda for its aggression or its state chauvinism."

Zelensky went as far as to compare the IOC's decision to the one made in the 1930s, when Nazi Germany hosted the 1936 Olympics.

"There was a major Olympic mistake. The Olympic movement and terrorist states definitely should not cross paths," he said.

Zelensky also confirmed he has discussed the issue with French president Emmanuel Macron.

Ukraine has threatened to boycott the 2024 Paris Olympics if the International Olympic Committee (IOC) decides to include Russian and Belarusian athletes.

The two nations are currently banned following the IOC calling on federations to exclude them after the former's invasion of Ukraine last year.

The IOC confirmed on Wednesday its intention to uphold sanctions against state and government officials ahead of next year's games, but added it would explore opportunities for athletes from both nations to compete in France under a neutral flag.

The move has been met with criticism, coming just weeks after Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelensky called for athletes to remain barred.

The country's sports minister took to social media on Thursday to reiterate Ukraine's official stance on the matter.

"Our position is unchanged," said Vadym Guttsait.

"As long as there is a war in Ukraine, Russian and Belarusian athletes should not be in international competitions... If we are not heard, I do not rule out the possibility that we will boycott and refuse participation in the Olympics."

Guttsait is also president of Ukraine's National Olympic Committee, and added that consultation has begun with national sports federations over a possible refusal to participate in Paris.

"I hope all the federations, athletes and the entire civilised world pay attention now and we won't have to resort to extremes," Guttsait added.

Russian and Belarusian athletes are not yet sure of being able to compete at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games after International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said sporting sanctions against the nations must remain in place.

The two nations have been excluded from world sport in varying guises since the Russian invasion of Ukraine began in February, with both banned from March's Winter Paralympics.

Athletes were allowed to compete under a neutral flag then, and Bach says he does not wish for them to suffer as a result of sanctions against the pair.

But Bach stressed those penalties cannot be relaxed amid the continued conflict in Eastern Europe.

"The sanctions against the Russian and Belarusian state and government must firmly remain in place," he said at the IOC's executive board meeting in Lausanne.

"These sanctions were imposed because of the breach of the Olympic truce, which means also a breach of the Olympic charter."

Bach conceded, however, the IOC did not wish for athletes representing both nations to be barred from competing entirely in France.

"I will never get tired enough to repeat, to make it clear all over again, that this question of the participation of athletes is very different to the question of sanctions for their government," he added.

"The position of the Olympic Movement was always, is and remains, that athletes cannot be punished for acts of their government as long as they do not contribute to it or support it.

"Therefore the question of athletes participation was always a protective measure, and not part of the sanction, to safeguard the integrity of international sports competition and to ensure safety of athletes from these two countries."

There are 10 potential candidates in discussion with the International Olympic Committee over host applications for the 2036 summer games, the organisation told national leaders on Thursday.

With Paris 2024 set to kick off a three-olympiad cycle that includes Los Angeles 2028 and Brisbane 2032, early interest is starting to be tendered for the next available berth to host.

The IOC previously changed their system for awarding the games after French-led investigations into alleged-vote buying surrounding Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020.

At the Association of National Olympic Committees meeting in Seoul, International Olympic Committee director general Christophe de Kepper confirmed conversations have been held over expressions of interest.

"We are currently working with 10 interested NOCs and regions across four continents," he told members. "[They] are at very different stages and are developing their ambitions according to their own regional or national timelines"

Nations including Egypt, India, China, Qatar and England have expressed an interest in hosting the event.

Sergey Bubka has been summoned to Switzerland to lead the Olympic movement's humanitarian response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The pole vault legend, now 58, is president of the Ukrainian National Olympic Committee and considered the best-placed figure to spearhead efforts to help those in need.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is based in the Swiss city of Lausanne, and it is there that plans will be drawn up to support Ukrainian athletes and sport bodies affected directly by the Russian invasion.

IOC president Thomas Bach said in a letter to the Olympic movement that there had been an overwhelming "outpouring of solidarity" from stakeholders towards Ukraine, with efforts already under way to help exiled athletes.

The IOC has created a solidarity fund, and Bach said it was necessary "to increase the assistance already provided, but also ensure that it is coordinated in an effective manner".

This is where Bubka comes in, with Bach "urgently" requesting that the long-time former world record holder and IOC member makes himself available "to coordinate all elements of humanitarian assistance to the Ukrainian Olympic community", including the allocation and distribution of funds raised.

Bach added: "To facilitate this task we will begin collecting information on the whereabouts of these members of the Ukrainian Olympic community as well as ongoing initiatives and support."

According to Ukraine's National Olympic Committee, in a statement issued this week, Bubka stayed in Ukraine after the Russian attack began.

He issued a statement on Tuesday that read: "Thank you for all your supportive messages and calls we received from around the world. Ukraine is grateful to the IOC for its full solidarity as well as to its task force for its communications with the NOC of Ukraine for coordination of humanitarian assistance. The war must stop, peace and humanity must win."

Russia is planning to appeal against the International Paralympic Committee's (IPC) decision to ban the country's athletes from the Winter Paralympics in Beijing, according to Oleg Matytsin, the country's Minister of Sport.

The IPC confirmed the decision to bar both Russian and Belarusian Paralympians from the games on Thursday, reversing an earlier announcement that they would be able to participate as neutrals.

Russia's ban was announced just a day before the Beijing Games are scheduled to begin, after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) had called for such a measure in the face of international pressure and boycott threats from athletes.

Matytsin, speaking to the state-owned news agency TASS, confirmed that Russia is now working on an emergency appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

"We are currently working to establish our legal position to file lawsuits on the protection of our athletes' rights, against the discrimination of athletes based on their ethnicity and the use of sports as a tool of a political pressure," he said.

"Today's decision of the International Paralympic Committee to bar our team is a blatant violation of athletes' rights and a manipulation of the Olympic Charter and human lives' values in pursuit of political goals.

"It is extremely inadmissible to put in action any type of sanctions with regard to [Russia's] Paralympians, who have already arrived for the tournament.

"We are drafting a lawsuit to be considered before the Opening Ceremony and the actual start [of the 2022 Winter Paralympic Games]."

The IPC's decision came one week after Russia invaded Ukraine and means that a 71-strong team of Russian Paralympians will be forced to sit out the Games, barring the success of an appeal.

Ukraine, meanwhile, will have 29 representatives in Beijing, while Russian athletes or teams have also been hit with bans by bodies such as the World Athletics Council, FIFA and UEFA, as the international sporting community attempts to apply pressure to the nation.

Athletes from Russia and Belarus have been banned from the 2022 Winter Olympics following a U-turn by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC).

The IPC announced on Wednesday that the two nations were set to compete in Beijing, albeit under the Paralympic flag and without being included in the medal table.

That was despite the International Olympic Committee (IOC) calling for athletes from Russia and Belarus to be prevented from taking part in all international sporting competitions.

However, just a day before the Games are due to begin, the IPC has reversed its decision amid fierce backlash and threats of boycotts.

It means 83 athletes will now no longer be able to compete in the nine-day event, including a 71-strong team from Russia.

IPC president Andrew Parsons said in a statement on Thursday: "At the IPC we are very firm believers that sport and politics should not mix. However, by no fault of its own the war has now come to these Games and behind the scenes many governments are having an influence on our cherished event.

"The IPC is a membership-based organisation, and we are receptive to the views of our member organisations. When our members elected the board in December 2021 it was to maintain and uphold the principles, values, and rules of the Paralympic Movement.  

"As board members that is a responsibility and duty we take extremely seriously. In taking our decision yesterday we were looking at the long-term health and survival of the Paralympic Movement.  

"We are fiercely proud of the principles and values that have made the Movement what it is today. However, what is clear is that the rapidly escalating situation has now put us in a unique and impossible position so close to the start of the Games."

The new announcement comes a week on from Russia invading Ukraine, with neighbouring Belarus effectively used as a staging post for part of the advance.

A joint statement from Ukrainian athletes and the Global Athlete group condemned the IPC's original ruling on Wednesday, accusing the governing body of issuing "another blow" to every Ukrainian athlete and citizen.

Parsons explained that the situation in the athletes' village had become "untenable", leading to the surprise U-turn on the eve of the event.

"Yesterday we said we would continue to listen, and that is what we are doing," he said. "In the last 12 hours an overwhelming number of members have been in touch with us and been very open, for which I am grateful.  

"They have told us that if we do not reconsider our decision, it is now likely to have grave consequences for the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games. Multiple NPCs, some of which have been contacted by their governments, teams and athletes, are threatening not to compete.

"Ensuring the safety and security of athletes is of paramount importance to us and the situation in the athlete villages is escalating and has now become untenable. 

"In order to preserve the integrity of these Games and the safety of all participants, we have decided to refuse the athlete entries from RPC and NPC Belarus. 

"To the Para athletes from the impacted countries, we are very sorry that you are affected by the decisions your governments took last week in breaching the Olympic Truce. You are victims of your governments' actions. 

"Athlete welfare is and always will be a key concern for us. As a result of today's decision 83 Para athletes are directly impacted by this decision. However, if RPC and NPC Belarus remain here in Beijing then nations will likely withdraw. We will likely not have a viable Games. If this were to happen, the impact would be far wider reaching.

"I hope and pray that we can get back to a situation when the talk and focus is fully on the power of sport to transform the lives of persons with disabilities, and the best of humanity."

The World Athletics Council announced on Tuesday that athletes from Russia and Belarus will be excluded from all World Athletics Series events for the foreseeable future.

A number of other sporting federations, including FIFA and UEFA, have also banned teams and athletes from Belarus and Russia.

Russian and Belarusian athletes will be allowed to compete at the 2022 Winter Paralympics as neutrals, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has confirmed.

The IPC made the announcement on Wednesday, two days before the nine-day event is scheduled to officially begin in Beijing.

While competitors from Russia and Belarus have been cleared to take part in the global showpiece, they must compete under the Paralympic flag and will not be included in the medal table.

IPC president Andrew Parsons said in a statement: "The IPC and wider Paralympic Movement is greatly concerned by the gross violation of the Olympic Truce by the Russian and Belarusian governments in the days prior to the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games. 

"The IPC Governing Board is united in its condemnation of these actions and was in agreement that they cannot go unnoticed or unaddressed.

"In deciding what actions the IPC should take, it was fundamental that we worked within the framework of our new constitution to remain politically neutral and within the IPC Handbook, the rules and regulations that govern the Paralympic Movement. 

"Such neutrality is firmly anchored in the genuine belief that sport holds the transformative power to overcome our shortcomings and summon from within us the best of our humanity, especially in the darkest of moments.

"What we have decided upon is the harshest possible punishment we can hand down within our constitution and the current IPC rules."

The announcement comes six days on from Russian president Vladimir Putin ordering an invasion of Ukraine, with neighbouring Belarus effectively used as a staging post for Russian military.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) this week called for athletes and officials from Russia and Belarus to be prevented from taking part in all international sporting competitions.

In a statement issued on Monday, the IOC's executive board accused the governments of Russia and Belarus of a "breach of the Olympic Truce" following the attack on Ukraine.

Referencing that statement, Parsons declared further sanctions may follow, with the IPC confirming members will be invited to decide whether to suspend or terminate the membership of the two nations.

"Post-Beijing 2022, we will also take measures with our 206 member organisations to determine whether any breaches of the Olympic Truce for future Paralympic Games could lead to the possible suspension or termination of an NPC [National Paralympic Committee]," he said.

"It is deeply disappointing that such action is required. However, the IPC Governing Board believes it to be necessary in order to hold governments to account for actions that impact directly on the Paralympic Movement, the Paralympic Games and Paralympic athletes. 

"This is especially so given the origins of the Paralympic Movement, arising out of the horrific events of the Second World War.

"Now that this decision has been made, I expect all participating NPCs to treat the neutral athletes as they would any other athletes at these Games, no matter how difficult this may be. 

"Unlike their respective governments, these Paralympic athletes and officials are not the aggressors, they are here to compete in a sport event like everybody else.

"The eyes of the world will be watching the Paralympic Winter Games in the coming days.  It is vital we show to world leaders through our sport that we can unite as human beings and that our true power is found when promoting peace, understanding and inclusion. 

"This is at the core of what the Paralympic Movement does and what it stands for. We should not lose sight of this now, no matter what the circumstances."

The World Athletics Council announced on Tuesday that athletes from Russia and Belarus will be excluded from all World Athletics Series events for the foreseeable future.

A number of other sporting federations, including FIFA and UEFA, have also banned teams and athletes from the eastern European countries.

The National Paralympic Committee of Ukraine has confirmed that a 29-strong team will represent their country at the upcoming Winter Paralympics in Beijing, despite Russia's invasion of their homeland.

Russia launched an assault on Ukraine late last week, leading to a strong backlash from the international sporting community.

After the International Olympic Committee (IOC) condemned Russia's breach of the Olympic Truce, which remains in place until after the end of the Winter Paralympics, Ukrainian athletes penned an open letter to the IOC and the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) to call for the suspension of Russian and Belarusian athletes ahead of the Winter Games, telling the governing bodies; "your legacy will be defined by your actions."

While the IPC is due to make a decision on Russian and Belarusian participation on Wednesday, Ukrainian Paralympians have moved to confirm that they are departing for the games from undisclosed locations, to compete in biathlon and cross-country skiing events.

"Part of the team is in one place, part is in another," a spokesperson told Public Sports.

"I hope that today we will unite and get to the airport and go to Beijing together. The team is not in Ukraine.

"We will not tell where we are. When we come to Beijing, we will tell. I hope that tomorrow, March 2, we will be in Beijing.

"The team is going [in] full as we planned."

Later that afternoon, a tweet from the official account of the Paralympic Games displayed the Ukrainian athletes prior to their departure for China.