The Ukrainian community in France is preparing to boycott the participation of athletes from Russia and Belarus under a neutral flag in the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, which will be held from July 26 to August 11, 2024.
This was announced by Vice President of the World Congress of Ukrainians in Western Europe Volodymyr Kohutiak.
“In Paris, the French and Ukrainians are preparing for the Olympic Games, working hand in hand. Ukrainians in Paris are planning to meet with our Ukrainian athletes and cheer for them. Still, at the same time, we are preparing together with the Paris City Hall to protest against the arrival of Russian and Belarusian athletes, no matter what flag they are under,” said Kohutiak.
According to him, the Ukrainian community is currently considering all scenarios that will once again remind the world who Russians and Belarusians are. The Olympic Games are a great opportunity.
“The number of people in Paris will double during the Olympics, as about 10 million tourists are expected. For our community, this will be another chance to hold many different public events to remind everyone that the Olympics are taking place in Paris under peaceful skies only because Ukraine is defending them,” summarized the UWC Vice President in Western Europe.
In December 2023, the Executive Committee of the International Olympic Committee allowed Russians and Belarusians to participate in the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris under a neutral flag.
The Ukrainian World Congress condemned this decision, expressing its belief that international sporting events should not be used to whitewash Russia’s genocidal war in Ukraine, to conceal its crimes against humanity, and to promote tolerance for war and destruction.
