Paris mayor speaks against Russians competing at Paris 2024 Olympics — media reports
Hidalgo does not want the Russians to be at the Olympics (Photo:REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes)
Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo has said she does not want Russian athletes at the 2024 Olympics, U.S. political news outlet Politico reported on Feb. 7.
Hidalgo said she “was not in favor” of allowing Russians to compete as neutrals, or under an Olympic Games banner, marking a shift from her stance last month, when she argued that athletes should not be deprived of the ability to participate in the competition based on where they come from.
“For as long as this war goes on, this Russian aggression on Ukraine, it’s not possible to parade as if nothing was happening, to have a (Russian) delegation arriving in Paris, while bombs are raining on Ukraine,” Hidalgo said.
Hidalgo also said she would express her disagreement publicly with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) if it did not change its mind.
Earlier, the IOC stated that they are ready to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete under certain conditions, in particular if they perform under a neutral flag.
On Jan. 27, German newspaper Der Spiegel quoted IOC President Thomas Bach as saying that he wants to “to bring together athletes from all over the world”, in particular Russians, at the 2024 Olympics.
“It is not in line with the values and mission of the Olympic Charter to exclude athletes because of their passport,” Bach said.
Ukrainian Sports Minister Vadym Hutssait does not rule out Ukraine will boycott the Olympic Games if Russian and Belarusian sportspersons are allowed to compete there.
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