Caution, in the French camp, on the question of a possible participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes in the Paris 2024 Games. Questioned on Thursday 30 March on the sidelines of a trip to Rosny-sous-Bois, the Minister for Sport and the Olympic and Paralympic Games, Amélie Oudéa-Castéra (photo above), remained vague. “All this is a step that in no way prejudges what we will do,” she said of the IOC’s recommendation, made two days ago, for the return of athletes from both countries to international competitions. “It is the IOC that makes the final decision, it is the IOC that sets the conditions for the participation of both Olympic and Paralympic athletes. On the other hand, it is obvious that the head of state of the host country will have a voice that will be listened to in this reflection that the IOC will carry out“. The French minister also said that discussions were continuing with the thirty or so countries whose authorities had been opposing the IOC on the Russian issue for several months. “We are making progress in deciphering what can be done better,” she suggested, referring to the conditions of neutrality that the Olympic body plans to impose on Russian and Belarusian athletes.
