Russian Olympian Fires Back at Paris Mayor’s Call To Exclude Athletes From the Olympics

Published 04/03/2024, 1:37 PM EDT

With the 2024 Paris Olympics just under 115 days away, anticipation is building in the sports world, accompanied by a whirlwind of excitement and drama. Among the discussions stirring the pot is the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes, who, amidst political unrest linked to the Ukrainian conflict, are permitted to compete as neutrals without national flags or anthems.

The IOC has also opted to exclude them from the opening parade at the Paris Olympics. Adding fuel to the fire, Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo waded into the debate in March 2024, offering contentious remarks regarding the involvement of these athletes. In response, a Russian Olympian launched a fiery retort to Hidalgo’s call for their exclusion from the Games.

Russian Olympic champion claps back at Paris Mayor ahead of the Olympics

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According to NV.UA, Lidiya Ivanova, a Russian Olympic gymnastics champion, did not take lightly comments made by Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo regarding Russian and Belarusian athletes’ participation in the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. Lidiya Ivanova reacted strongly to her unwelcoming comments, saying, “The Paris mayor is a viper, an idiot!”

She also expressed her disbelief and frustration that such remarks would come from a person in a leadership position. Lidiya Ivanova’s outburst reflects the tension and controversy surrounding the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes in international sporting events.

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In her rant, Ivanova emphasizes the perceived ignorance and lack of civility in Mayor Hidalgo’s remarks, particularly because the Olympics are meant to be a platform for unity and sportsmanship. She questions Hidalgo’s right to make such statements, regardless of her rank or position. As we reflect on these words by Lidiya Let us see what caused this reaction.

Anne Hidalgo’s unwelcoming remarks regarding the Russian athletes

In March 2024, Anne Hidalgo expressed her opinion that Russian and Belarusian athletes should not be allowed to participate due to various concerns, likely related to political issues or doping scandals involving athletes from these countries. She had said, “I prefer that they don’t come,” in an interview with Reuters.

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She emphasized the severity of the situation, referring to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and portraying President Vladimir Putin as a dictator threatening Europe. Despite the IOC’s decision to permit Russian athletes to compete under neutral status, these contentious remarks have only intensified the debate. What is your take on this? Comment below!

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Written by:

Christaline Meyers is a senior Olympics writer at EssentiallySports who specializes in gymnastics and alpine skiing. Christaline is one of the acclaimed authorities in the coverage of 6x All-Around champion, Simone Biles. She has written extensively, covering every detail of Biles’s life stories as well as providing her perspective on Simone Biles’ Yurchenko Double Pike controversy.

Edited by:

Sampurna Pal

Russian Olympian Fires Back at Paris Mayor’s Call To Exclude Athletes From the Olympics

Russian Olympic champion claps back at Paris Mayor ahead of the Olympics

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Anne Hidalgo’s unwelcoming remarks regarding the Russian athletes