Olympics

Kremlin deplores exclusion of Russians from Paris parade!

The Kremlin has sharply criticized the exclusion of Russian and Belarusian athletes from the athletes' parade at the opening ceremony of the Olympics in Paris! 

"Undoubtedly, this means the destruction of the Olympic idea, this is a restriction of the interests of the athletes," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Wednesday, according to the Interfax news agency. This contradicts the spirit of the Olympic movement and damages the reputation of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

"Unacceptable and a new low!"
Meanwhile, the IOC reacted sharply to verbal attacks from Russia against IOC boss Thomas Bach. "Associating the President with the Holocaust is unacceptable and a new low," said IOC spokesman Mark Adams on Wednesday after the conclusion of the two-day deliberations of the governing body's top management in Lausanne. Adams did not explain what exactly he was referring to with his statement. Bach had previously spoken of some very personal attacks from Russia against him.

Participation in the closing ceremony to be decided later
The IOC leadership decided on the exclusion on Tuesday following consultations in Lausanne. The reason is the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine. Athletes from Belarus, a close ally of Russia, are also not allowed to take part in the parade. However, athletes from both countries will be given the opportunity to attend the ceremony as spectators, according to the IOC. A decision on participation in the closing ceremony will be made later.

Athletes from Russia and Belarus are only allowed to take part in the Olympics in Paris under certain conditions. They must compete under a neutral flag. If they win, the national anthem will not be played. Both countries are excluded from team competitions. Athletes who have openly spoken out in favor of war or are serving in the military are also not permitted.