PARIS: French president Emmanuel Macron has said that the Russian flag should be banned at Paris Olympic Games over Moscow war crimes against Kyiv, western media reported on Wednesday.
France is set to host the mega sports event from July 26 to August 11 in Paris next year.
Olympic Committee to decide about Russian athletes’ fate
Macron on the presence of Russian athletes in Paris Olympic said that host country cannot make such decision as it is the job of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
During an interview with sports daily L’Equipe: “I have total confidence in Thomas Bach (the IOC president).”
It is pertinent to mention that athletes from Belarus and Russia have been banned from multiple sports events since Russia launched military offensive against Ukraine in February of 2022.
Despite the ongoing conflict, the IOC has permitted athletes from Russia and Belarus to take part as individual neutrals in international sports events.
However, the athletes have to meet certain conditions. They can compete under a neutral flag while proving that they have not actively supported the war against Ukraine.
Macron said Russian flag cannot be raised at the Paris Games and there is consensus about that. He accused Russia of committed war crimes and deporting children.
However, Macron added it is difficult to differentiate between those Russian athletes who are supporters of war and those who are victims.
He urged the IOC to a make fair decision adding it is the balancing act that needs to be carried out.
