A large group of more than 200 Ukrainian athletes has appealed to French President Emmanuel Macron to exclude Russian and Belarusian athletes from participating in this year's Olympic and Paralympic Games. 

This appeal comes in response to the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) decision to allow athletes who meet the necessary standards or eligibility requirements to participate in the thirty-third modern Olympic Games, albeit as neutral athletes without their country's anthem or flag, but under the IOC flag. This measure applies only to individual athletes and not to those taking part in team events.

The opportunity for Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete, despite criticism from those affected or benefiting, depending on one's perspective, is due to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine since February 2022. As a result, athletes from Russia (and Belarus) have been denied the opportunity to compete in Olympic disciplines, as this is contrary to the Olympic Charter and the spirit of the Games.

As a result of this conflict and the economic and political transport blockades, athletes from these nationalities and those who supported the conflict were denied to take part in Olympic disciplines. By allowing them to compete, albeit on the condition of not being able to do so under the flag of their home country, Ukrainian athletes have raised objections. 

They have appealed not only to the French President, but also to the Mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, and the French Minister of Sports, Amélie Oudéa-Castéra, as well as the organisers of the Paris 2024 Games, which will take place from 26 July to 11 August. The request also covers the Paralympics, which will take place from 28 August to 8 September.

"In July 2024, the XXXIII Olympic Games will begin in Paris. We, the Ukrainian athletes, ask for your continued support in the struggle to uphold the Olympic principles and prevent the participation of athletes from terrorist states," reads the letter, which already has 218 signatories. 

The letter also says that "no athlete from these countries has publicly spoken out against the killings or the genocide of the Ukrainian people during the war. Allowing these athletes to compete contradicts the basic recommendations of the International Olympic Committee, as the athletes admitted are not 'neutral' but open supporters of the war," the letter concludes.

However, the French President and all political officials in France, including Tony Estanguet, President of the Paris 2024 Organising Committee, or any other official, have no jurisdiction over who can take part in the Olympic Games or the eligibility criteria. Only the IOC and the International Federations are responsible for defining the conditions of participation in accordance with their delegated powers. 

Of the more than 4,600 athletes (out of a total of more than 10,000) who have qualified for the next Olympic Games, only 11 are from two countries in conflict with Ukraine. Eight of them hold Russian passports, while the remaining three are Belarusian and, barring an unlikely change in the IOC's decision, will be able to compete at the Paris Games under a neutral flag.