This Wednesday, the IOC Executive Board is discussing a possible return of Russian athletes to international competitions, including the Paris Olympics in 2024. The Committee had, however, recommended their exclusion just a year ago, after the invasion of Ukraine.

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Such a step backwards would be unjustifiable as long as Russian troops have not themselves stepped back, respecting Ukraine's internationally recognized borders.

Such a step backwards would be morally unacceptable, especially as Russia has aggravated its crimes in recent months by regularly bombing Ukrainian civilian populations.

Such a step backwards would contradict the Olympic Charter, which calls for "respect for universal fundamental ethical principles" and seeks to "promote a peaceful society, concerned with preserving human dignity."

The IOC's contortions reveal a short-sighted policy. They illustrate the pretense of an apolitical Olympism, while Germany was completely banned from the 1920, 1924, and 1948 Games. Russia undoubtedly carries too much weight to risk offending it for more than a year.

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More than 200 Ukrainian athletes have already fallen victim to Russian bombs and bullets. How can anyone even imagine that their comrades could peacefully compete against Russian athletes – the majority of whom are officers! – in the spirit of "mutual understanding, friendship, solidarity, and fair play" required by the Olympic Charter?

On the other hand, how can we imagine that Russian athletes (apart from a few dissidents in exile) could today denounce the war of aggression waged by their country, where such statements would earn them up to 15 years in prison?

That is why we support the Mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, who changed her position on February 7, stating that "while the decision rests with the IOC", she does not "want" Russian athletes at the Paris 2024 Olympics. In the standoff between the Ukrainian government and the International Olympic Committee, we call on the Mayor of Paris to firmly maintain her current position.

We also call on the IOC, as well as all sports federations and more generally all those who are committed to Olympic principles, to clearly refuse the return of Russian and Belarusian athletes to international competitions, as long as the Russian army has not returned behind its internationally recognized borders.