Brand new European champion in the 10,000m, Dominic Lobalu was banned by the IOC from representing Switzerland at the Paris Olympics. The decision is motivated because he does not have a Swiss passport.
Lobalu (25 years old) could nevertheless line up this summer in Paris, but within the refugee team. Having arrived in Switzerland with this status in 2019, the runner will still have to wait before receiving a passport opening the doors to all international competitions.
The IOC Executive Council, meeting in session in Lausanne, noted that Dominic Lobalu was not a Swiss citizen. Therefore, according to the Olympic charter, he is not eligible to represent Switzerland at the Olympics.
Invitation
As he achieved the requested limits and results, Lobalu was invited to participate in the Olympics under the refugee banner. But we don’t yet know if he will accept this invitation.
The runner left the Athlete Refugee Team after a race in Geneva in 2019 and requested asylum in Switzerland. After years of procedure, the native of South Sudan was able to participate in the recent European Championships in Rome under the Swiss colors and won gold in the 10,000 and bronze in the 5000 m.
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