Russian Criticism of Paris 2024 Olympics Amid Heat and Controversies.
Editor Thenews24.net
2 min read
During the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, held on July 29, 2024, people sought relief from the heat near the Eiffel Tower, as captured by photographer Luis Tato for AFP via Getty Images. Russia, excluded from the Olympics due to its ongoing conflict with Ukraine, has been highly critical of the event.
Russia’s Exclusion and Participation
Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Russian athletes were banned from the 2024 Games unless they competed as “Individual Neutral Athletes.” Consequently, only 15 Russian athletes are participating this year. Russian state-affiliated media have seized on any issues or controversies at the Games, from complaints about food in the Olympic Village to disputes over gender in women’s boxing.
Media Criticism and Controversies
Russian media have consistently portrayed the Olympics, France, and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) negatively. After the opening ceremony, which featured a segment with drag queens, Russian media condemned it as offensive to Christianity, despite organizers explaining it represented a pagan feast. Russian outlets like Argumenty i Fakty derided the ceremony as the “Olympus of Hell.”
Reports of problems such as worms in fish, a COVID-19 outbreak affecting over 40 athletes, and pollution in the River Seine have been widely covered by Russian media. Moskovsky Komsomolets criticized the decision to hold water events in the Seine, calling it dangerous. Argumenty i Fakty’s article “Poisoned by Paris” highlighted health issues faced by athletes. Komsomolskaya Pravda’s sports feature summarized various problems, including COVID-19 cases and complaints about bedbugs and worms in food.
Gender Controversy and Media Coverage
Russian media have also covered the gender controversy involving boxers Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-ting, though they did not mention the spread of disinformation about the athletes’ gender eligibility. Western media have reported on these issues, but to a lesser extent.
Official Responses and Russian Media’s Stance
CNBC reached out to the Kremlin for comment. Russia’s muted coverage of competitive events is expected, given its strained relations with Western countries supporting Ukraine. Russia is not broadcasting the Games for the first time since 1984, dampening public interest.
Russia’s exclusion from international sports competitions began with a four-year ban by the World Anti-Doping Agency in 2019 due to a state-sponsored doping scheme. Russian athletes competed under the “Russian Olympic Committee” banner at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing.
IOC’s Ban and Russian Reactions
The IOC’s decision to ban Russian and Belarusian athletes from the 2024 Olympics unless competing as “neutral individual athletes” includes strict participation criteria. No Russian or Belarusian flags, anthems, or symbols are allowed, and no government officials can attend.
Some Russian athletes initially accepted invitations but later withdrew, possibly due to pressure from Russian sports officials. Mirra Andreeva and Diana Shnaider, competing as “Individual Neutral Athletes,” won a silver medal in women’s tennis doubles but declined to comment on Russian politics.
