The United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee, USOPC, say they need clarification of “the conditions for neutrality” for Russians and Belarusians to compete at Paris 2024.
President Gene Sykes said the USOPC “stands in solidarity with the people and athletes of Ukraine”.
However, they would consider a process allowing “truly neutral” Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete.
Ukraine has threatened a boycott if a ban on those athletes is not upheld.
The International Olympic Committee, IOC, said they will “explore a pathway” for athletes from those nations to participate.
The insisted the Games “can inspire us to solve problems by building bridges”, but no decision has been made on what practical steps they will take.
The United Kingdom is among 36 countries to have pledged support for an ongoing ban, put in place following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
The USOPC said they were concerned about how the IOC would determine the criteria for a neutral athlete.
Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelensky has said Russian participation at the Olympics “cannot be covered up with pretend neutrality or a white flag” and the nation has “no place at sports and Olympic competitions” while the invasion continues.
The IOC has urged Ukraine to drop threats of a boycott as it seeks to “promote peace through sport”, having made Russian and Belarusian athletes compete under a neutral flag at the Winter Paralympics in March 2022.
The UK government hosted a summit in February which included representatives from the US, and asked Olympic sponsors to support a ban at the 2024 Paris Games and press the IOC on the issue.
In response, the IOC said the UK government should “respect the autonomy of sport”, adding: “It is not up to governments to decide which athletes can participate in which international competitions.”
