The participation of Russian military and security services in the 2024 Summer Olympics, even under a neutral flag, would be a provocation and the International Olympic Committee should not allow it.
German member of the European Parliament (EPP) Peter Liese said in a commentary to Guildhall.
“I am against Russian soldiers participating in the Olympic Games in Paris. Their participation, even under a neutral flag, would be a provocation, especially towards Ukrainians,” MEP Peter Liese told Ukrainian media.
Earlier, President of the International Olympic Committee Thomas Bach said that Russian and Belarusian athletes could take part in the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris under a neutral flag.
In its turn, the Center for Defense Reforms (CDR) published a report, the results of which confirm that representatives of the Russian Olympic team are servicemen of the Russian armed forces and members of the Russian security agencies. The Russian Olympians represent three organisations of the Russian power structures. CSKA (Central Sports Club of the Army) is a structure of the Russian Ministry of Defence. Dinamo is a sports society of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs. Many past Olympic medalists are officers of the Rosgvardia. The CDR has also called for the Russian military and security forces to be barred from the Olympics in Paris.
