Amid the ongoing Ukraine-Russia war, the presence of Russian athletes at the Paris Olympics is in question as French President Emmanuel Macron has insisted that the Russian flag should be barred from the Paris Olympics, as per media records.Emmanuel Macron said in an interview on Wednesday that “the Russian flag cannot be at the Paris Olympic Games… at a time when Russia is committing war crimes”.Emmanuel Macrons speech detailsAdding to the questionable attendance of Russian player Macron said, “I hope that this is a decision of conscience in the Olympic world. It is not the host state which must decide what the International Olympic Committee (IOC) should do.”Macron further says “Obviously, there cannot be the Russian flag at the Paris Games, I think there is consensus.”He also said that France has no place for the Russian flag that has committed war crimes and deported childrenSympathising with the Russian athletes he also said “The real question that the Olympic world will have to decide is what place to give to these Russian athletes who sometimes have prepared for a lifetime, and can also be the victims of this regime.”However, in his speech, he also questioned how to differentiate between those Russian athletes who are accomplices and those who are victims of the regime.“This is the real question,” he added.Will Russians get to play in Paris OlympicsSince the start of the war, Russian and Belarus athletes have faced sanctions from a multitude of sports as Russia invaded Ukraine in February of 2022.However, the International Olympic Committee (IOL) has recommended allowing athletes from Russia and Moscow ally Belarus to compete as individual neutrals in international competitions.This also to be noted that not all players can play neutrally in the Olympics. Certain conditions need to be satisfied.These include competing under a neutral flag and proving that they have not actively supported the war in Ukraine.Macron has further asked the IOC to make a decision that is fair and understood by Ukrainians.
