Mayor Hidalgo of Paris, France, where the Olympic and Paralympic Games will be held next year, held a press conference regarding the participation of Russian athletes who continue to invade Ukraine. I reaffirmed my recognition that is undesirable.
Mayor Hidalgo of Paris, which will host the Olympic and Paralympic Games next summer, said at a press conference on the 14th that when asked about the participation of Russian athletes, he said, "Paris is not just about the beauty of its buildings, but its impact is based on its value. We will not be able to march in Paris, a city that symbolizes human rights," he said, reaffirming his recognition that it is not desirable for Russian athletes to participate in the competition as long as the invasion of Ukraine continues.
In addition, the IOC (International Olympic Committee) is considering returning to the international competition with conditions such as making Russian and Belarusian athletes a "neutral" position that does not represent their country or region. He emphasized that the host country does not agree with the flag, saying, ``The neutral flag is a distraction and is not a solution.''
Mayor Hidalgo expressed a similar perception in an interview broadcast on French public radio earlier this month, saying that he would like to hold discussions with the IOC, which has final decision-making authority, in the future.