Juan Antonio Samaranch Salisachsvice president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), assured EFE that the organization has “there is more and more hope that the Olympic Games in Paris will be held with athletes from all over the world.”
The “international political situation” and its influence on the Olympic Movement will be one of the issues to be debated by the IOC Executive starting Thursday in Bombay (India), followed by the Session (plenary assembly) from the 15th to the 17th.
A final position on the participation of Russia and Belarus in the Paris Games has not yet been adopteddue to the ongoing war in Ukraine, but its athletes are already competing in pre-Olympic tournaments as neutrals.
Samaranch recalled that the IOC did not send an invitation to participate in the Games to the Olympic committees of Russia and Belarus and said that “in the current circumstances it is unthinkable” to do so, but “another thing” is, he said, to welcome the athletes. born in Russia and Belarus” under the Olympic flag.
The participation of Russians and Belarusians as neutrals in almost all pre-Olympic competitions (with exceptions, such as gymnastics) and the elimination of the rule preventing Ukrainians from entering competitions where there are Russian giving strength to the prospect of a meeting in Paris of all nations, said the vice president.
“All communities and international organizations also emphasize the positive impact on peace that the Games and the Olympic Movement have.”added the Spanish leader, who said the IOC was also aware of the possible consequences of combat sports in Israel and Gaza.
A novel program for Los Angeles 2028
Another issue to be closed in Bombay is the sports program for the 2028 Los Angeles Games, which will be “new,” Samaranch expects. “There are five years left and it is very important to get it out as soon as possible”he warned.
The organizing committee of the Games proposed this Monday to add to the program the modalities of baseball/softball, cricket, squash, flag football (American football in its non-tackle mode) and lacrosse. The proposal has to be reviewed and, if appropriate, approved by the IOC Session, which alone has the power to change the program of the Games.
There are nine combative sports; In addition to those requested, karate, kickboxing, breaking (it was admitted for Paris 2024) and motor racing requested a presence at the Games.
Samaranch emphasized that the proposals are very popular in the United States, so the IOC will try to “find a balance” to avoid gigantism and, at the same time, meet the demands of the organizing country. “The Games have to adapt to the world,” he said.
In June 2022and approved that the main part of the Los Angeles program is athletics, rowing, badminton, basketball, canoeing, cycling, horse riding, fencing, soccer, golf, gymnastics, handball, hockey, judo, wrestling, swimming, rugby, taekwondo, tennis , table tennis, shooting, archery, triathlon, sailing, volleyball, surfing, skateboarding and climbing. The latter three, along with breaking, are those chosen by Paris 2024 as its additional sports.
A decision on the venue for the 2030 Winter Games, which has yet to be awarded, will not be made until 2024, Samaranch confirmed, although candidacies for this and other future editions will be reviewed in Bombay.
Regarding the organization of Paris 2024, the IOC has only “normal” concerns about the Games opening in just over nine months, the vice president said.
Source: La Verdad
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