France's Macron says there 'can be no Russian flag' at Paris Olympics
As questions remain over the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, French President Emmanuel Macron has insisted that there is “no place” for Russia at the Games.
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“Clearly there cannot be the Russian flag at the Paris Games, I think there is a general consensus on that,” Macron said in an interview with sports daily l’Equipe published late Wednesday.
“There is no place for Russia as a country at a time when it has committed war crimes, when it deports children.”
Since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, athletes from Russia and its ally Belarus have faced sanctions from a many of sports.
Neutral Olympians?
When asked about the possible presence of Russian athletes, even competing as neutrals at the Olympic Games, Macron said the decision would depend on the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
"That is the main question, and it is where the Olympic world, honestly, must express its opinion and clarify guarantees. And it must be understood by the Ukrainians,” he said.
“That is the balancing act we must achieve,” he said, adding that it is not up to the host country to decide what the IOC should do, and that he has “total confidence” in IOC president Thomas Bach.
The IOC has recommended allowing athletes from both countries as individuals under a neutral flag, and their participation would depend on whether they have actively supported the war in Ukraine.
Macron said there is a question on how to differentiate between athletes who support the Russian regime, and those who are its victims.
"The real question that the Olympic world will have answer is what place to give to these Russian athletes who sometimes have prepared themselves [for the games] their entire lives, and can also be the victims of this regime," Macron said.
(with AFP)
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