Russian and Belarusian athletes were to be welcomed to next summer’s Olympic Games, but under a neutral banner. This is the message delivered by Amélie Oudéa-Castéra this Wednesday, January 3, 2024, while a deluge of fire has been falling on Ukraine for several days. There is “a principle of non-discrimination which should make it possible to welcome Russian or Belarusian athletes who have done nothing,” she insisted. On the other hand, “there will be no anthem, no flag” for these athletes, she insisted.
Vladimir Putin expressed his indignation at seeing these athletes evolve under a neutral banner. “We don’t care what he thinks,” replied Amélie Oudéa-Castéra, “there are rules set by the IOC (International Olympic Committee, in charge of organizing the Games – Editor’s note).” The minister accused the Russian president of seeking to “use sport for Russian glory, the glory of his country”. We must “stay away from this type of mechanics,” she warned.
On the discontent of the police, who will be mobilized on the sidelines of the Olympics this summer, the Minister of Sports recalled that “the Minister of the Interior has initiated social dialogue”, in particular with the establishment of “three premium levels which could go up to 1,500 euros. “In the period from June 15 to September 15, the police would have the capacity to have two weeks of leave,” she recalled, even if these civil servants cannot take leave during the Games period. , or “from July 24 to mid-August”.
Amélie Oudéa-Castéra finally wanted to “thank the police” for their action “during the holidays”, and for their mobilization throughout the year, between the “Rugby World Cup”, “the ‘welcome of King Charles III’ and ’the papal mass’ at the Vélodrome stadium in Marseille.
What about the controversial opening ceremony, which is to be held on the banks of the Seine? “This is the project, this is the heart of our ambition,” recalled the minister. In the event of force majeure, for example, “if there were to be a tightening of the security context with an increase in attacks on our soil”, the government would be able to propose an “alternative”.
The minister finally showed herself to be ambitious in her hopes for the French athletes, saying she wanted France to be part of the “top 5 of the most medal-winning nations”. Concerning Paralympic athletes, “the objective is to double the number of titles, enter the top 8 and then enter the top 5 sustainably”.
As rumors of an upcoming cabinet reshuffle gain momentum, the Sports Minister said she could not guarantee she would still be in office when the Games open, without giving further details. clarification, however. “No one is sure of anything,” she said as her only comment.
