Nearly 100 days before the start of the Paris Olympic Games, security and the international panorama are a topic of concern and conversation. Thomas Bach, president of the International Olympic Committee, gave an interview to L’Equipe in which he addresses these issues and his concerns ahead of the mega event that will focus global sporting attention starting on July 26.
The German, who was a prominent fencer before his move to the management side, responded to everything. He stressed, for example, the importance and symbolism that the opening ceremony of the event will represent. “It will be a demonstration of inclusion and will create a different atmosphere than a ceremony in a stadium,” he said about the ceremony that for the first time will be held outside a sports venue to do so in the waters of the Seine River.
Bach also commented on the consequences that the turbulence that the world is currently experiencing could have in Paris. He does not fear, for example, a boycott by Russia or Ukraine. Athletes from those countries “will be invited by us individually if they meet the conditions. And then, once in Paris, they will be treated like the rest of the athletes,” said the IOC president.
“It is a principle of the Olympic Charter”
“Those who violate the Olympic charter are sanctioned and those who respect it are protected. The same thing happened in 2016, 2018, 2020, 2022 and 2024. We cannot sanction an athlete for the actions of his government or, if it is doping, for the actions of another athlete. It is a principle of the Olympic Charter, but it is also a principle of human rights,” he told the French media.
Thomas Bach (L) and President of the Paris 2024 Organising Committee Tony Estanguet. (Xinhua/Xiao Yazhuo)
THE DIFFERENCE WITH PALESTINE AND ISRAEL
Asked about the similarity of the conflict between Ukraine and Russia compared to what is happening between Israel and Palestine regarding possible sanctions, Thomas Bach was emphatic: “Our principles are clear and it was Russia again that tried to put this problem on the table. They said: “Yes, you sanction our athletes, why don’t you sanction the athletes and the Olympic committees involved in another conflict?”. The leader began by saying. “In this case too, we follow our principles. The Russian Olympic Committee was suspended for violating the Olympic charter by annexing sports organizations on Ukrainian territory. The situation with Israel and Palestine is completely different: we have two national Olympic committees, one Palestinian and one Israeli, which “Although it is not always easy, they have lived in peaceful coexistence for thirty years. And none of them violated the charter,” argued the German.
“From the first day we have been in contact with the two national Olympic committees and we support them both. And the athletes confirmed their desire to participate in the Games. They see sport as a unifying power and they want to experience these Olympic Games,” concluded Thomas. Bach when there is less and less left until the start of Paris 2024.
