Macron says the Russian flag can’t be at the Paris Olympics because of war crimes.
Macron was asked about Russian athletes possibly competing in Paris without their country’s flag. He said it’s up to the Olympic Committee, not the host country, to decide.
He trusts the IOC president, Thomas Bach. Because of Russia’s actions in Ukraine, athletes from Russia and Belarus have faced penalties in many sports. The IOC suggests letting them compete as neutrals if they meet certain conditions, like not supporting the war. Macron believes the Russian flag shouldn’t be at the Paris Games, as there’s widespread agreement.
He thinks it’s a tough decision for the Olympic world to decide what to do with these athletes, who may have trained their whole lives and are also impacted by their government’s actions.
Macron thought about how to tell apart Russian athletes who are involved with the government’s actions from those who are suffering because of them. He said this was the main question.
He believes the IOC needs to make a choice that is fair and makes sense to Ukrainians. It’s a delicate balance they have to figure out.
SOURCE: FRANCE24