Domestic political crisis: Is France cancelling the Summer Olympics? The IOC denies rumors
France’s capital Paris has long been preparing for the huge sporting event
© Philemon Henry / SIPA / Action Press
The Olympic Games are set to begin in Paris at the end of July – but France is primarily concerned with its political crisis. The IOC is countering speculation.
The Paris Olympic organizers are defending themselves against speculation about a last-minute cancellation of the Summer Games. The governing body dismissed media reports about the International Olympic Committee’s alleged consideration of canceling or postponing the Games because of the political turmoil in France as false. “This is obviously part of the ongoing disinformation campaign against France, the IOC, its president and the Olympic Games,” the IOC said.
The reports have no factual basis, it said. IOC chief Thomas Bach and the entire Olympic movement are looking forward to the start of the Summer Games on July 26 with great anticipation.
The magazine “Le Point” had previously speculated that Bach had set a deadline of mid-July to decide on cancelling the Olympics. The IOC president was worried about the situation in France after the right-wing nationalist Rassemblement National became the strongest force in the first round of the parliamentary elections.
France’s Sports Minister: Speculation is indecent
This was a serious defeat for French President Emmanuel Macron, who had taken a risk by prematurely dissolving the National Assembly and calling early elections. France is now threatened by political chaos. However, the composition of the National Assembly will only be determined in the decisive second round of voting next Sunday.
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The Paris Olympic organizers announced that they would investigate the origin of the false reports about the cancellation of the games. Sports Minister Amélie Oudéa-Castéra wrote on the platform X: “Our games will take place in Paris on the planned dates. We have been preparing for them for years. They will bring happiness to the whole world and pride to our country.” The reports about a cancellation are indecent.
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