France's Macron: there can be no Russian flag at Paris 2024


FILE PHOTO: French President Emmanuel Macron speaks during a working meeting 500 days ahead of the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games at the Paris and Ile-de-France Prefecture in Paris, France March 14, 2023. Ludovic Marin/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo

PARIS (Reuters) - French President Emmanuel Macron said no Russian flag should fly at next year's Paris Olympics, with Russian athletes' participation an issue for the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to decide.

Ukraine has threatened a boycott of the Games though it may drop that if athletes from war allies Russia and Belarus compete under a neutral flag rather than national colours.

"Of course, there can be no Russian flag during the Paris Games, I think there is a consensus on that matter. Because Russia, as a country, is not welcome at a time where it has committed war crimes and deported children," Macron told French sports daily L'Equipe.

"The real question, that the Olympic organisation should decide upon, is what place can be given to the Russian athletes (...) an issue that should not be politicized."

Ukrainians should be involved in IOC meetings on the matter, he added.

Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine has killed tens of thousands, destroyed cities, uprooted millions and hammered the economy. Russian troops used Belarus as a staging ground for their abortive attack on Kyiv early on in the invasion.

Some Ukrainian athletes see their nation's current blanket ban on competing against Russians and Belarusians - regardless of the flag athletes from those two countries compete under - as a self-inflicted wound damaging sports stars' careers.

(Reporting by Julien Pretot and Benoit Van Overstraeten; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne)

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!
   

Next In Others

Netflix set for biggest weekly gain since January after Paul-Tyson fight
Mixed martial arts star McGregor sexually assaulted woman in 2018, jury finds
Rallying-Neuville's title hopes take a knock after tough Friday in Japan
Baseball-Japanese fans rejoice in Ohtani's MVP win
Men paddlers upset hosts Thailand for historic gold in SEA championship
F1, ESPN open talks over next US media rights deal, FT reports
A chess extravaganza awaits as Singapore hosts World Chess Championship from Nov 25
Sailing-Rolex ramps up SailGP backing as crews hit Dubai for new season
League One Volleyball raises $100M before launch Jan. 8
Olympics-Modern pentathlon at LA 2028 no rescue operation for the sport says president

Others Also Read