Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo is not expecting Russian athletes to attend the Summer Olympics 24, which will be hosted by the French capital. She believes that representatives of the aggressor country should not be present at international sporting events if the war continues in 2024.

Anne Hidalgo made the statement at a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on April 20 in Kyiv as part of the International Summit of Cities and Regions. In his evening video address, Zelenskyy noted the Paris mayor's personal unwavering position on preventing Russian athletes from participating in the Olympic Games.

"It is obvious that the terrorist state will do everything to justify itself through sport or use the international Olympic movement to support its aggression. That is why it is important that while the aggression continues, the Russian state does not have any access to sports and Olympic venues. In particular, to the Paris venue, which will host the 2024 Olympics. Today, the mayor of Paris has reaffirmed that she sees no place for representatives of the aggressor state in Paris while the aggression continues," Zelenskyy said.

According to Anne Hidalgo herself, if Russia continues to attack Ukraine in 2024, it means for France that Russia is also attacking European values.

"At the next Olympic Games in Paris in 2024, if the war continues, if the Russians are still attacking you, it means that they are attacking us and our values. And in my opinion, Russian athletes should not be welcomed in Paris if there is a war going on. That's why we are here. We are trying to convince athletes, international federations and countries. We are with you. We support you in your struggle. You can count on Paris and on me," Hidalgo said.

During the meeting, Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked the Mayor of Paris Anne Hidalgo for her support of internally displaced Ukrainians. The President also recalled Paris's leadership on the energy track and assistance to Ukraine in getting through this difficult winter.

The President of Ukraine presented the special honorary award of Ukraine for the French capital - "City-Savior" - to the Mayor of Paris Anne Hidalgo

As OBOZREVATEL previously reported, the IOC recommended that athletes from Russia and Belarus be allowed to compete in a neutral status and announced the criteria for admission.

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