【Research Note】 The Issue of Political Neutrality in the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games （Part I）

Abstract

What has become clear from the issue of the participation of Russian, Belarusian, Israeli, and Palestinian NOCs and NPCs in the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, is the complex nature of the issue of political neutrality in the Olympic and Paralympic Movements.

First, the IOC and IPC, which had tried until now to avoid political decisions as much as possible, did not approve the participation of the Russian and Belarusian NOCs and NPCs in the Paris 2024 Games. It is particularly interesting that the IOC based its decision to suspend the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) on the ROC’s registration of regional sports organizations that are under the authority of the Olympic Committee of Ukraine as members of the ROC. The IOC also emphasized that its decision was supported by the international community, such as the G7, G20, and the UN, and the IPC's decision was reportedly related to the Russian Paralympic Committee (RPC)'s active support for soldiers wounded in combat in Ukraine, which was found to be in violation of the IPC Charter. The RPC, on the other hand, pointed out that the IPC's condemnation of its active role in the rehabilitation of wounded soldiers was inconsistent with the policy of the IPC, which was originally created as a means of rehabilitation for World War II veterans.

Needless to say, in all competitions, including the Paris Games, both Olympic and Paralympic, active and retired military personnel have participated in large numbers. The exclusion of those who actively support the war and those involved in the national security apparatus only for Russia and Belarus may mean that the IOC and IPC have made a judgment as to what is the “just war” in this decision.

Second, is how to reconcile the prohibition of discrimination based on identity factors and political beliefs, as articulated in the Fundamental Principles of Olympism and other documents, with the issue of non-recognition of NOCs and NPCs and their exclusion from the Games, in line with international law and the opinion of the international community. President Vladimir Putin has criticized the IOC's decisions as “racist.” Furthermore, the Gaza crisis has complicated the issue. The increased attention in the West to the discourse of “anti-Semitism” with racist aspects in connection with the Israel-Gaza conflict, will make this balance more difficult.

Third, the recent increase in athlete activism has led to cases where individual athletes have raised their voices not only on general social issues such as racism, but also on issues of international conflicts and the IOC's and IPC's responses to them. It is possible that there will be demonstrations and protests during the Games, either in line with the IOC/IPC rules or against them.

Fourth, it must be pointed out that wounded soldiers from the ongoing fighting may in the future participate in the Paralympic Games as representatives from the Russian, Ukrainian, Israeli, and Palestinian NPCs. In other words, the ongoing military conflicts could have long-term implications not only for the Paris Games but also for future Games.

It is expected that diverse views will continue to be expressed on the issue of political neutrality surrounding the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. With debates about the legitimacy of international conflicts being directly reflected in the Olympic and Paralympic Movements, only the realization of international peace will be able to end the conflicting debates about political neutrality.