The mobilization is gaining momentum. Many voices are speaking out in favor of to demand the release of French journalist Christophe Gleizes, sentenced to seven years in prison in Algeria. While his sentence was upheld on appeal Wednesday, Guy Drut, one of the five French members of the IOC, addressed the Olympic institution, and more specifically Kirsty Coventry, in a letter which L'Equipe shared excerpts.
« A renowned sports journalist, Christophe Gleizes has always strived to cover sporting events with rigor, neutrality, and high standards, thus contributing to to spread the values of universality, dialogue between peoples and mutual respect that the IOC continues to promote ", the former Olympic 110m hurdles champion points out regarding the 36-year-old journalist, who notably collaborates with Society et So Foot.
« His conviction and detention directly affect attack on the freedom of the sports presswhich is an essential pillar of transparency, credibility and integrity of the Olympic movementexplains Guy Drut. Can the IOC remain silent when a sports journalist is imprisoned for carrying out his mission to inform? »
Invoking the mission of " defend those who contribute to the success of sport and the Olympic ideal ", he judges an essential that the IOC supports, through appropriate measures, any initiative aimed at ensuring fair and equitable treatment of Christophe Gleizes' situation and, as far as possible, at facilitating his swift release The IOC did not respond to requests for comment. Francs Jeux on the subject.
