The photo "The Parade of Russian athletes participating in the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in London in 2012 / Reuters Archives" illustrates our opinion piece published in Ouest-France, 9/10/2023.

At the end of July, during the World Fencing Championships in Milan, it wasn't the sport itself that took center stage, but a dramatic incident between Ukrainian Olga Kharlan and Russian Anna Smirnova . Smirnova instigated the incident by demanding a handshake instead of the simple saber salute Kharlan offered. She then remained alone on the piste for over 45 minutes, forcing the referees to penalize her opponent. Before the bout, the interim president of the International Fencing Federation (FIE), Emmanuel Katsiadakis, had reportedly assured Kharlan that she would not be required to shake hands – the saber salute having been the only option during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Supposedly neutral athletes and their federations serving Russian propaganda

Although validated as a neutral independent athlete by the FIE, the Russian has thus demonstrated that she remains at the service of her country's propaganda.

Under pressure from Smirnova, O. Kharlan was initially disqualified and barred from the rest of the competition. Is this surprising, given that the FIE was chaired from 2008 to 2022 by the pro-Putin Russian oligarch Alisher Usmanov , who still wields considerable influence within the organization? The president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Thomas Koch, then intervened "on an exceptional basis" to guarantee Kharlan a place at the Paris Olympics. The FIE subsequently partially reversed its decision, allowing Kharlan to compete in the team event.

Sport is a key pillar of Putin's militaristic system

The Smirnova case demonstrates the impossibility of establishing clear boundaries within the gray area of support for the war in Ukraine. The International Judo Federation, itself heavily influenced by Russia, provided an initial illustration of this last May. It admitted a Russian delegation of neutral, independent athletes to its World Championships in Doha, half of whom were military personnel – one of whom, Warrant Officer Inal Tasoev , nearly deprived Teddy Riner of his gold medal, and was nevertheless quietly crowned co-champion a month later!

Other independent, neutral athletes competing in international competitions, following the IOC's recommendations last March, participate in teams made up of Russian military personnel, train in army or police clubs, or (like Smirnova) support the Russian armed forces on social media. Much of this information is conveniently deleted to cover their tracks.

The role of sport in the Putin regime is unique. This collusion ( the sportocratura ) makes Russian athletes an exceptional propaganda tool for Putin, undermining Olympic and democratic values.

Let's not allow Putin to tarnish the Games and our capital

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC), which had adopted a very firm stance at the end of 2022, reversed course on September 29, against the advice of its Athletes' Commission. The vote to reinstate the Russian Paralympic Committee was close. We welcome the reaction of the French Paralympic and Sports Committee , which denounced " the risk of manipulation, even under a neutral banner, " and " the pressure exerted (...) on certain National Paralympic Committees ." These actions demonstrate how important the Paris Games are to Putin. Let's not allow them to become Games of shame, at the risk of a boycott by Ukraine and other countries.

To prevent Putin's army of athletes from winning Olympic victories, which would provide a golden springboard for his regime, we call on the IOC and the IPC to to refuse the entry to the Paris Games of Russian and Belarusian athletes, even under a neutral flag, with the exception of those who have expressed their opposition to the war in Ukraine .

For this appeal, the JO collective is composed of:

Joëlle Garriaud-Maylam , Honorary Senator representing French citizens living abroad (The Republicans group)

André Gattolin , former Senator for Hauts-de-Seine (Rally of Democrats, Progressives and Independents group)

Arnaud Genestine , sports consultant

André Klarsfeld , Vice-President of For Ukraine, for their freedom and ours!

Etienne Klein , physicist, essayist

Jean-Yves Leconte , former Senator representing French citizens living abroad (Socialist, Ecologist and Republican group)

Sylvie Rollet , Professor Emeritus, President of For Ukraine, for their freedom and ours!

Nicolas Tenzer , lecturer at Sciences Po Paris