Emmanuel Macron used his visit to the village to raise the issue of the presence of Russian athletes at the Paris 2024 Games. The French leader of state has sided with the IOC in favour of their participation under a neutral flag, in the name of the Olympic Charter. 

"I believe that sport should allow for unity and reconciliation. The choice that has been made is one that we will accept together. We support Ukraine, and we have sanctioned Russia. Neutral athletes must be able to carry out their work and their sport in conditions of respect," said the President of the French Republic.

Macron's comments follow the IOC's decision on 8 December 2023 to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete in Paris 2024 under a neutral flag. 

Both the Russian and Ukrainian communities reacted controversially to the decision. However, IOC President Thomas Bach justified the decision as a matter of balance. Russia said the decision could exclude many of its top athletes from Paris 2024, while Ukraine considered boycotting the Olympics and not taking part in protest.

This position, which initially did not worry Bach, who was confident that this would not be the case, gained strength at the end of December after the Ukrainian authorities reiterated the possibility of not taking part in the Olympic event, which is still not official. 

IOC President Thomas Bach thanked French President Emmanuel Macron for his words on the spirit of the Olympic Games and its ability to unite the world in peace. 

"President Macron's comments once again demonstrate the seamless cooperation between the IOC and the French authorities at the highest level, and I would like to express my deep gratitude for his strong commitment to the success of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, working together with the IOC in a relationship of mutual trust," commented Bach.