Ukraine's Parliament urges Macron to bar Russians from 2024 Olympics in Paris
Ukrainian parliament addresses Macron on Russian participation in 2024 Olympics in Paris
According to the Telegram channel of Oleksiy Honcharenko, Ukrainian Member of Parliament, the Ukrainian Parliament, known as the Verkhovna Rada, has formally appealed to world leaders and foreign parliaments to restrict the entry of Russian and Belarusian athletes and sports delegations into their territories. In a move that has sparked international attention, Ukrainian lawmakers have called upon French President Emmanuel Macron to prevent their participation in the upcoming 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
Reportedly, Resolution No. 9409, which puts forth these recommendations, received the backing of 306 parliamentary deputies.
The resolution asserts that sports in Russia and Belarus have become instruments of state propaganda, intertwined with the ongoing conflict. It alleges that many of their athletes are associated with military structures, with some reportedly taking part in combat operations in Ukraine's territorial disputes. The conflict, attributed to Russia, has resulted in the deaths of athletes due to bombings on Ukrainian soil. Furthermore, defenders of the nation have had to exchange their sports uniforms for military attire, losing their lives and well-being in the process.
Critics of the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) approach are found within the ranks of the Ukrainian Parliament. They find fault in the IOC's recommendations that allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to return to international competitions under a neutral flag.
"In the spirit of the Olympic principles, we hope the IOC will adhere to its values and bar representatives of aggressor states from participating in the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris," the resolution reads.
Should international sports institutions remain inactive, the document underlines the pivotal role of the host nation of the 2024 Olympics in influencing the outcome. The resolution expresses gratitude to Anne Hidalgo, the Mayor of Paris, for her advocacy against the participation of Russians in the Games.
In light of this, the Verkhovna Rada urges French President Emmanuel Macron and all responsible parties not to allow those who use sports as a cover for anti-human propaganda onto French soil, as outlined in the document.
A Recap of Olympic Developments
Both Belarus and Russia did not receive invitations from the International Olympic Committee to participate in the upcoming Summer Olympics. However, the absence of an invitation does not guarantee their exclusion from the 2024 Olympics.
Scheduled for July-August 2024, the Olympic Games continue to generate intrigue. The likelihood of Russian and Belarusian teams competing in team sports appears slim, while the possibility remains that individual athletes from both countries could participate under a "neutral" status.
