Russians, Belarusians rejected as volunteers over security concerns
Many Olympic volunteers with Russian and Belarusian passports – some living in France, others in their home countries – reported having received identical letters, citing security risks, saying they had failed background checks.
Citing France’s internal security code, the organisers said they were not aware of the specific reason and were only informed of the decision by the officials carrying out the checks.”We regret to inform you that we will not be able to count you among the volunteers for Paris 2024″, was the message.
“An unfavourable assessment has been made against you,” the Paris-2024 volunteer programme informed them, citing France’s “internal security code.”
“The mission accepted will unfortunately not be attributed to you and you will not receive any further communication from our services.”
The Paris Olympics will be held under the shadow of Russia’s war against Ukraine. Russian and Belarus athletes can compete only as neutrals. The French security services worry Moscow could be seeking to disrupt the Games. A total of 45,000 people were selected to serve as volunteers at the Olympics and the Paralympics.
READ ALSO: Erik ten Hag names target Man Utd failed to sign
In March, French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said that “we absolutely check everyone,” adding around 800 people who “did not have good intentions” had already been excluded. The interior ministry declined to comment.
It is unclear how many Russian and Belarusian citizens are affected. But several volunteers told AFP they believed their cases were not isolated and applications from Russians and Belarusians were rejected at the last minute due to their nationality.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the organisers were depriving Russian-speaking guests of help from the volunteers “who could best assist them. We can only express regret,” he said.
Mark Galeotti, an expert on Russian security services, suggested France wanted to play it safe. “However, there is always a dilemma here, whether to err on the side of caution and end up excluding even some who are entirely innocent, or to be generous and risk letting in Russian assets.”
Jules Boykoff, who teaches political science at Pacific University in Oregon, said: “The sudden decision to jettison already-approved Olympic volunteers from Russia and Belarus is not only uncommon, but it also makes one wonder about the initial vetting process. Did new information about the volunteers come to light? Or is discrimination rearing its ugly head?”