In an interview with L’Équipe, French President Emmanuel Macron felt that he could not “ not have the Russian flag at the Games » Paris 2024 Olympics, Russia having « out of place at a time when she committed war crimes “. Asked about the possible presence of Russian athletes in an individual capacity at the 2024 Summer Olympics, the Head of State replied: “ I hope this is a decision in the conscience of the Olympic world (…) it is not the host state that should decide what the IOC should do (…) I totally trust Thomas Bach », the president of the International Olympic Committee. President Macron also wished that ” the Ukrainians are associated with this reflection “. ” The real question that the Olympic world will have to decide is what place to give to these Russian athletes who sometimes have prepared for a lifetime, and can also be the victims of this regime “, he continues. But how to differentiate between Russian athletes accomplices and victims of the regime? ” This is the real question and therefore this is where the Olympic world has, in conscience, its opinion to give and guarantees to specify. », Explains the Head of State: « And it must be understood by Ukrainians (…) This is the balancing act that we will have to carry out. »
1 min