Vol. 28 No. 304 (2023)
Africa, France and the Paris 2024 Olympic Games
Through various mechanisms, for centuries and to this day, France maintains a high degree of control and regulation of Africa's resources, which benefits its businesses and its economy, while has a negative impact on African countries, which see how their natural resources are exploited for the benefit of others.
Recently, a military coup overthrew the president of Niger, accused of corruption and of benefiting foreign regimes to the detriment of the local population, condemned to misery. The French government is threatening to take military action against the de facto government of Niger and other countries in the region that try to support it. More than defending the democratic system, it is interested in maintaining its interference in the region and perpetuating its colonial policy. If it does, the International Olympic Committee should withdraw the host city from Paris and sanction the French in the same way as Russia and Belarus for their actions in Ukraine, that is, their athletes could participate but not represent their country's flag.
Times of conflict between nations had a negative impact on international sporting events. The 1916, 1940 and 1944 Olympic Games were suspended due to the two World Wars. Likewise, various boycotts such as those in 1980 in Moscow and 1984 in Los Angeles detracted from the splendor of the event and denied many athletes the possibility of experiencing an unforgettable agonistic experience. Faced with violences, we state the hope that sport can express its most positive version: the opportunity to promote peace, cooperation, mutual respect and equal dialogue among nations.
Tulio Guterman, Director - September 2023
Published:
2023-09-03
