Allowing Russian athletes to compete 'the best way forward' for 2024 Olympics

The International Olympic Committee is under fire this morning for allowing Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete at the Paris 2024 games.

While those athletes will only be able to compete as neutrals, not under their own flags, the decision has left many divided following tensions between Russia and Ukraine.

But Australian Olympic Committee CEO Matt Carroll told Today it is important the Olympics "unify the world".

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"It's not the athletes that have gone to war, it's the leaders of the countries," Carroll said.

"There's a bit of dilemma for the IOC, we all agree, but we think this is the best way forward to use sport as a uniting opportunity for the world."

Carroll said athletes seen supporting the war on Ukraine won't be welcome and the qualification process will be an "athlete by athlete decision".

"The Russian government and the Russian Olympic Committee are against the process the IOC wants put in place, so it's a matter now for Russian and Belarus athletes," he said.

See what else Matt Carroll had to say in the video above

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