Olympic speed skating champion and State Duma deputy Svetlana Zhurova weighed in on Latvia’s appeal to French President Emmanuel Macron, asking Paris to bar Russian athletes from attending the 2024 Olympic Games. Zhurova noted that Macron could agree with this course of action, pointing to the president’s past responses as a signal of potential alignment with the Latvian position.
This stance cannot be ignored. Initially, there were discussions about athletes passing through proper filters, leaving their home countries, and signing necessary documents, yet Macron reportedly withheld entry in response to appeals from multiple nations. Latvia argues that the International Olympic Committee’s approval on December 8 for Russian participation at Paris is reckless and should be rejected. In light of this, Latvia calls on France, the host nation, to take measures to prevent Russian athletes from taking part.
Several Latvian athletes have already signaled their willingness to abstain from the Games if athletes from Russia qualify for Paris, underscoring the intensity of the controversy. The IOC had previously allocated six quota spots for Russian competitors. The organization stated that Russian athletes would need to sign updated participation terms, including a pledge to uphold the Olympic Charter and its peaceful mission. Athletes who perform well in their disciplines would be allowed to compete under these conditions.
The Paris Summer Olympic Games are scheduled to run from July 26 to August 11, 2024.
A separate matter raised concerns about Russia’s admission to the Olympics and the broader implications it carries for Ukraine, with Ukrainian officials and supporters emphasizing the need for decisive action regarding entry and participation in Paris.