One-year countdown to war-clouded games: Russia and Belarus omitted from Paris Olympics invitees

The Ancient Olympic Games originates of course from Greece, though the modern day sporting event we know today was conceived in France. Pierre de Coubertin revived the Olympics in 1894. They were meant as an occasion for peace as nations come together and celebrate in amical sporting events. But the Games quickly got caught up in nations’ rivalries and political agendas. The IOC struggled – and failed to distance itself from the 20th century’s global conflicts. Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine in February last year, the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes has been a very contenious issue. Today the President of the International Olympic Committee Thomas Bach formally invited 203 countries. Invitations were not extended to Russia and Belarus. For more, FRANCE 24 is joined by Simon Rofe, an expert in Sports Diplomacy at Leeds University.