Olympic organizers revoke accreditation of 4 Russian journalists, state-owned media claims

 

Olympic overseers verified on Monday that several Russian journalists have had their accreditation revoked, following an announcement by Russia’s TASS state news agency that its reporters could no longer cover the Paris Games.

TASS reported that the revocation of credentials, crucial for covering the Games, came as a surprise after the journalists had already entered France, received their passes, and attended the opening ceremony and various events.

Anne Descamps, a spokeswoman for the Paris 2024 Organizing Committee, stated, “I can confirm that some accredited journalists have had their accreditation withdrawn following a decision from the relevant authorities.” She added that the committee is implementing the decision but is not privy to the reasons behind it.

Descamps did not specify how many journalists were affected. The interior ministry declined to comment when contacted by AFP.

TASS identified four journalists whose accreditation was revoked, including Artyom Kuznetsov, a veteran Olympic reporter who had been present at the opening ceremony at the Trocadero. Team Russia has been banned from the Paris Olympics due to Moscow’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine. Only 15 Russian athletes, accredited as neutrals, are participating and did not attend the opening ceremony.

Russia criticized the opening ceremony, with foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova calling it a “massive failure.” Former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev labeled it a “disgusting spectacle” and a “freak show,” citing issues such as the Olympic flag being raised upside-down and attendees leaving early due to heavy rain.

Earlier, some Russian journalists had their accreditation requests denied, prompting Zakharova to accuse President Emmanuel Macron and his administration of disregarding journalistic rights and freedom of speech.

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