The French government will strictly monitor compliance with neutrality rules for Russian and Belarusian athletes allowed to participate in the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, French Sports Minister Amelie Oudea-Castera said on Wednesday.
In an interview with France 2, the minister commented on the possibility of Russian and Belarusian athletes participating in the Olympic Games, despite the invasion of Ukraine, noting that “there is a principle of non-discrimination in international law.” “.
The minister said they would be “very vigilant to ensure” neutrality rules imposed by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) are respected, as the Russians and Belarusians will compete under a neutral flag and cannot show any support for the war in Ukraine. .
Amelie Udea-Castera recalled that it is the International Olympic Committee that “has the right to decide who will participate and who will not” in this event, but the minister asks that the rules be followed “to the end” and that “the Russian authorities will not use sport for their own glory.”
The sports official also ensured that Russian flags would not be displayed in the stands during the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The opening ceremony of Paris 2024 is planned on the Seine River and, despite allowing for a Plan B in case of “tightening security conditions”, the minister said that staging this moment for the first time in an open space “is a project”. .
The Paris 2024 Olympic Games will take place from July 26 to August 11.