IOC calls for Russian and Belarusian athletes to be suspended from all sports
The IOC said Russians and Belarusians should be banned from taking part in order to "protect the integrity of global sports competitions".
Athletes and officials from Russia and Belarus should be prevented from taking part in all international sporting competitions, the International Olympic Committee said.
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.
Russian president Vladimir Putin ordered an invasion of Ukraine last Thursday, with neighbouring Belarus effectively used as a staging post for Russian military.
The IOC accepted athletes from both countries did not deserve to be punished simply for the actions of their governments. However, because the war in Ukraine prevents many Ukrainians from taking part in sporting events, the IOC said they were left with "a dilemma which cannot be solved".
It added: "The IOC EB has therefore today carefully considered the situation and, with a heavy heart, issued the following resolution: