"Russia Not Welcomed at Olympics," Paris Mayor's Remarks Prompt Russia's Boycott Warning

Regarding the statement by the Mayor of Paris that Russian and Belarusian athletes will not be welcomed at this year's Summer Olympics in Paris, France, Russia has warned of a boycott of French products.

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

According to the French daily Le Parisien on the 1st (local time), Anne Hidalgo, the Mayor of Paris, visited the Ukrainian athletes' training center in Kyiv, Ukraine, on the 28th of last month and said, "I want to say that Russian and Belarusian athletes are not welcome in Paris." This is interpreted as a remark aimed at appeasing Ukraine, which opposes the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) decision to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to participate under a neutral individual status.

In response to this news, Russia countered by threatening to boycott French products. Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, raised the possibility of a boycott of French goods via Telegram on the 31st of last month. She stated, "So far, French products have not had stickers saying 'Not welcome in Moscow,' but if our supporters decide to do so, we cannot stop them."

She also pointed out, "We have various alternatives to replace French products," and warned, "If such remarks are made once more, French businessmen will be followed by farmers and flood the Paris City Hall."

Meanwhile, the IOC has allowed athletes from Russia, which invaded Ukraine, and Belarus, which assisted the invasion, to participate in the Paris Olympics as neutral individual athletes who are not affiliated with the military and do not support the war, but they are prohibited from using their national flags or anthems. In response, Ukraine appealed, saying, "The IOC has sent a green light that Russia can 'weaponize' the Olympics," and "All allies must strongly condemn this shameful decision that undermines the principles of the Olympics." However, the IOC banned athletes from both countries from participating in the Olympic opening ceremony parade as part of their delegations.

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