Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo said on Wednesday that she opposes Russian athletes taking part in the 2024 Paris Olympics and attending the opening ceremony scheduled for July 26. Related video above: President Volodymyr Zelenskiy calls for banning Russian athletes from 2024 Paris Olympics 'I hope they don't take part' in the future,'' Hidalgo told Reuters on Wednesday. “I think President Putin is a dictator who threatens all of Europe, who wages war against Ukraine, who denies us as a people the right to exist as a nation. Even under a neutral flag, it's very hard to see that. That will be difficult: The International Olympic Committee announced in December that athletes from Russia and Belarus who have qualified for Paris 2024 will be eligible to compete as neutral athletes if they meet the eligibility requirements. This applies only to individual athletes and does not include teams from those countries. The IOC has not yet announced whether athletes from Russia and Belarus will be able to participate in the opening ceremony under neutral flags. A decision is expected to be made at the next meeting later this month.The International Paralympic Committee announced earlier this month that Paralympic athletes from Russia and Belarus would not participate in the opening ceremony on August 28. Hidalgo told Reuters. “I'm not trying to put pressure on anyone,” he added, “I'm expressing my opinion as mayor,” he told Reuters. Asked whether Israeli athletes should face similar restrictions, Hidalgo said imposing sanctions on Israel was “out of the question” and supported all diplomatic efforts being made to achieve a ceasefire. “Stop targeting Paris,” he said. Russian Sports Minister Oleg Matitsyn told reporters on Wednesday that Russia should not boycott the 2024 Paris Olympics, according to Russian state news agency TASS. “My position is this: we should not turn our backs on this movement, we should not shut it down, we should not boycott it,” Matitsin said. “We must maintain opportunities for dialogue and compete as much as possible,” Matitsyn added, saying he had no intention of acting hastily. Make a decision on Russia's participation in the Olympic Games – “Gives the IOC the opportunity to express its position on the regulations and prospects regarding the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes in the 2024 Olympic Games.” Paris 2024 Summer Olympics will be held on July 26 The Paralympic Games officially begin on August 28th and end on September 8th.
Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo said Wednesday that she opposes Russian athletes taking part in the 2024 Paris Olympics and attending the opening ceremony scheduled for July 26.
Related video above: Volodymyr Zelenskyy calls for Russian athletes to be banned from 2024 Paris Olympics
“I hope they don't come,” Hidalgo told Reuters on Wednesday. “I think [Russian President Vladimir] President Putin is a dictator who threatens all of Europe, wages war against Ukraine, and denies our people the right to exist as a nation.
“Even under a neutral flag, it would be very difficult to see that, because we know how much President Putin values the Russians, these players.”
The decision comes after the International Olympic Committee announced in December that athletes from Russia and Belarus who qualified for the Paris 2024 Games would be eligible to compete as neutral athletes if they met the eligibility requirements. Applies only to individual players and does not include teams from these countries.
The IOC has not yet announced whether athletes from Russia and Belarus will be able to participate in the opening ceremony under a neutral flag. They are expected to decide on the matter at their next meeting later this month.
The International Paralympic Committee announced earlier this month that Paralympic athletes from Russia and Belarus will not participate in the opening ceremony on August 28.
“The Paralympic Movement's decision seemed to me to be a very legitimate decision. Now it's up to the International Olympic Committee to make the decision,” Hidalgo told Reuters. “I have no intention of putting any pressure on them,” he added.
“As the mayor of Paris, I will express my opinion,” she said.
Asked whether Israeli athletes should be subject to similar restrictions, Hidalgo said sanctions against Israel were “out of the question” and supported all diplomatic efforts being made to reach a ceasefire. “We will stop targeting civilians in Gaza,” he said.
Russian Sports Minister Oleg Matitsyn told reporters on Wednesday that Russia should not boycott the 2024 Paris Olympics, according to Russian state news agency TASS.
“Right now, the question of whether to participate in the Olympics is on everyone's lips, but my position is this: We should not turn away, close our hearts, or boycott this movement.” Matitsin said.
“We must maintain the opportunity for dialogue and compete as much as possible,” Matitsyn said, adding that he would not rush to make a decision on Russia's participation in the Olympics, adding: “We must express our position on the Olympics to the IOC. I will give you the opportunity to do so.” Regulations and prospects for the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes in the 2024 Olympics. ”
The 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris will officially open on July 26th and conclude on August 11th. The Paralympic Games will open on August 28th and close on September 8th.
