Olympic Games 2024 in Paris: Estangue “rather supports” the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes

The president of the organizing committee for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, Tony Estanguet, a guest of the RMC this Sunday, said that he favors the conditional reintegration of Russian and Belarusian athletes, despite the war waged by Russia in Ukraine. The International Olympic Committee allowed these athletes to participate on December 8 under a neutral banner. The decision was expected since a similar permit for Paralympic athletes was issued at the end of September.

Estanget “has no right to vote”

“Personally, I understand, respect, and rather support the decisions that were made,” replied the three-time Olympic canoe champion, recalling that he did not do this. [son] word” about the fate of these athletes. “In past editions, the host country could never say: We accept this country or we do not accept it. This is a universal event and it is these international bodies that can decide on this matter,” he insisted.

“I consider it inappropriate to impose sanctions on athletes who are not responsible in international conflicts. But I think it’s quite good to allow athletes who have no contact with these authorities to participate,” Tony Estangue continued, recalling that Russia and Belarus will not be able to participate in team sports. “In any case, these will be very small delegations. We are talking about several dozen athletes instead of several hundred usually. For some reason, I think it is good to give the opportunity to individual athletes, who are in no way responsible for what is happening, to realize their dream by taking part in the Games. »

In its decision, the IOC stated that athletes who compete in the Games must do so under a neutral flag and that they cannot actively support Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The next day, Kyiv condemned the “shameful decision” which “encourages aggression against Ukraine” and many Ukrainian athletes were offended. On December 14, Vladimir Putin criticized this decision: “If [les responsables sportifs internationaux] keep going like this, they will bury the Olympic movement. The very idea of ​​Olympism is suffering today,” said the Russian president.

The latest reaction for today is that of Russian swimmer Kliment Kolesnikov. The two-time Olympic medalist from Tokyo said he would not participate in the Games, condemning the IOC’s “unacceptable” conditions and “discriminatory” criteria. At the moment, about ten Russian and Belarusian athletes meet the necessary conditions to come to Paris next summer.