IOC Russia Recommendation Not Binding For Paris 2024: French Minister
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) recommendation to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete as neutrals is not binding for Paris' 2024 Olympics, French Sports Minister Amelie Oudea-Castera said on Thursday. IOC recommendations were "a step which does not pre-judge what we will do" for Paris 2024, Oudea-Castera told reporters on a visit near Paris. "If the international federations decide that there will be participation by individual athletes, it will be under a strict neutrality regime, without a Russian flag or the national anthem," she added. Voices from western governments, civil society and athletes have been raised against allowing any Russian participation in the Games following Moscow's invasion last year of neighbour Ukraine.
