State Duma Deputy Zhurova: Russian athletes may not be allowed into Paris
Russian athletes may not be allowed to the Olympics in Paris in 2024 even if their participation is approved by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). It is for this reason that the head of the committee, Thomas Bach, must negotiate with French President Emmanuel Macron. This was stated by State Duma deputy Svetlana Zhurova in a conversation with Lenta.ru.
“Our athletes may simply not be allowed. Every country that hosts the Olympic Games has this right: athletes arrive, but they are not allowed. This has already happened to the head of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko in the UK, when the British said that even if he arrives, he will fly back. Therefore, now Bach, anticipating such scenarios, must agree with Macron, ”explained Zhurova.
The politician also added that there are problems with the status of participation of Russian athletes in the Olympics: a decision has not yet been made on whether everyone will agree to compete in a neutral status and whether the Russian Olympic Committee will approve this decision.
Earlier, Bach and Macron held a meeting at which they discussed the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. In particular, it was confirmed that the decision on the participation of athletes from Russia and Belarus in the Olympics in Paris would be made in due course.
On March 28, the IOC recommended that Belarusians and Russians who did not support the special operation in Ukraine be allowed to compete in a neutral status. At the same time, athletes from Russia and Belarus associated with the armed forces or security agencies of their countries are recommended to be suspended from participation in the starts.
Source: Lenta
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