The French Show Overwhelming Support for Russia’s Participation in the Olympic Games

Moscow, March 5 – About 72% of the French are in favor of allowing Russian athletes to participate in the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, according to L’Equipe, citing a study by Odoxa.

According to the survey, 28% of the French population believes that Russian athletes should be allowed to enter the Olympic Games under the Russian flag. About 44% of respondents admit that athletes from Russia should be able to compete in the Games in a neutral position.

In February 2022, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) recommended that international sports federations ban Russian and Belarusian athletes from competing due to the situation in Ukraine. A number of international federations followed the recommendation, and others recognized athletes in a neutral position.

On January 25, the IOC Executive Committee called for the return of Russian and Belarusian athletes to international competitions in a neutral position, while suggesting that athletes who actively supported the special operation not be allowed into Ukraine. After that, IOC President Thomas Bach, in an interview with Spiegel, said that Russian and Belarusian athletes could take part in the 2024 Olympics under a neutral flag.

The Summer Olympics will be held in Paris from July 26 to August 11, 2024.