David Lappartient, the chairman of the International Cycling Federation (UCI), is one of seven candidates to succeed Thomas Bach as chairman of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
In an interview with AFP, the 51-year-old says he wants Russia to be allowed to participate in the Olympic Games again – despite the ongoing war against Ukraine.
It is obvious that they should get their place back in the sports world. A decision on this will be made eventually, no country is permanently excluded from the Olympic movement. It is quite clear, says David Lappartient.
Lappartient's statement comes with just over a year to go until the Winter Olympic Games in Italy.
Russia has been banned from international competition by a number of sports federations since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. At the Olympic Games in Paris, a few Russians were allowed to participate, but under a neutral flag.
Furthermore, Lappartient wants to meet Donald Trump, where they will, among other things, discuss the place of trans people in sports. This after the American president said that the USA will only recognize two genders, men and women, during his presidency.
Everyone is welcome in sports, including trans people. But it is not a fundamental right for trans people to be able to choose which gender class they compete in, continues the Frenchman.
The IOC election takes place in March, but already on Thursday, all candidates will have a presentation at an IOC meeting.
