The recommendation of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to reinstate Russian athletes "
in no way prejudges
" their presence at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, said Thursday March 30 the Minister of Sports and the Olympic Games Amélie Oudéa-Castéra.
A participation of Russian athletes in Paris, if it were to be decided by the international federations, would take place "
under a strict regime of neutrality, without banner or Russian flag, without anthem
", recalled the minister, adding that President Emmanuel Macron would speak on the subject in the summer.
“
All this is a step which in no way prejudges what we will do
” for the Paris Olympics, added during a trip to the Parisian suburbs Amélie Oudéa-Castéra, the first French official to speak on the subject since the recommendation. issued Tuesday by the IOC.
“
It is the IOC which has the last word, it is the IOC which sets the conditions for the participation of both Olympic and Paralympic athletes
”, declared Mrs. Oudéa-Castéra.
It is obvious that the head of state of the host country will have a voice that will be listened to.
Amélie Oudéa-Castéra, Minister of Sports and the Olympic Games
“
On the other hand, it is obvious that the Head of State of the host country will have a voice that will be heard in this reflection that the IOC will lead
,” she underlined.
The Minister of Sports indicated that she was continuing her exchanges with her “
counterparts from different countries
”.
“
We are progressing in deciphering the best that can be done
,” she continued, on the sidelines during the inauguration of a skatepark as part of the “
5,000 sports grounds
” plan.
The IOC recommended on Tuesday March 28 the reinstatement of Russian and Belarusian athletes in international competitions, under a neutral banner and "
in an individual capacity
", for those who have not actively supported the war in Ukraine.
But the organization's executive board will decide "
at the appropriate time
" on their possible participation in the Paris 2024 Olympics, which Ukraine, Poland and the Baltic countries threaten to boycott in the event of Russian presence, announced the president of the IOC Thomas Bach.