France has denied accreditation to several Russian journalists seeking to cover the upcoming Olympic Games as a precautionary measure, according to Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin in an interview with Le Journal du Dimanche.
While many applications from Russian journalists were rejected, those affiliated with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) were permitted.
French special services reviewed over 960,000 applications globally, rejecting 4,340, including those from volunteers, journalists, and sports delegation members.
The Paris Olympics, scheduled from July 26 to August 11, will see heightened security measures. The opening ceremony, held along the Seine embankment and the Trocadero Square, will limit spectators to 326,000, down from an initially planned 600,000, to mitigate potential threats.
Special QR codes will regulate movement near Olympic venues and Paris embankments.
The decision to deny access to Russian journalists is part of broader international tensions surrounding Russia’s global activities.
Since the annexation of Crimea in 2014 and the subsequent conflict in Ukraine, many Western nations have imposed sanctions on Russia and scrutinized its activities closely.
The situation has intensified since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, leading to further sanctions and diplomatic strains.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has also been involved in various controversies regarding Russian athletes, particularly concerning doping scandals that led to the banning of the Russian flag and anthem from several international competitions.
However, individual Russian athletes have been allowed to compete under a neutral flag if they meet specific criteria.
France’s stringent vetting process for Olympic accreditation underscores the heightened security concerns for the 2024 Paris Olympics, especially given the recent history of terrorist attacks in Europe.
Ensuring the safety of athletes, officials, and spectators is paramount, necessitating comprehensive security measures and careful scrutiny of all individuals involved in the event.
