Full reverse. If Jean-Michel Blanquer announced Thursday morning that France did not intend to diplomatically boycott the Beijing Winter Olympics (February 4-20), the decision of the French government has not yet been finalized. According to our information, the Minister of Sports should rectify his remarks during the day to return to the position hitherto in force, that of a decision to be taken jointly with the rest of the countries of the European Union.
Still, the turnaround seemed clear. Guest of the morning of RMC and BFM TV this Thursday, Jean-Michel Blanquer was launched on the subject of these Olympics in China, where the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom and Canada will not send diplomatic representatives or ministers in protest against the regime’s human rights abuses. “Is France going to boycott diplomatically,” asks Minister Jean-Jacques Bourdin, in charge of the interview. “France is not doing it”, replies the minister.
“France will not do it? Wait for Jean-Michel Blanquer, I would like the answer to be clear, ”reacts the journalist. “Well, she is. France will not do it, ”replies the one who is also Minister of National Education. “We must be very attentive to the relationship between sport and politics, sport is a world which must be protected from political interference,” continues Blanquer. We must condemn the violations of human rights in China, but we must have an adequate and appropriate attitude when it comes to sports competitions. “
He spoke of a sports boycott according to his entourage
In the process, he announces that he will not go to Beijing, but that the Minister for Sports Roxana Maracineanu will go there for the Olympic Games. And that the Secretary of State for People with Disabilities, Sophie Cluzel, will travel to Asia for the Paralympic Winter Games (March 4-13, 2022).
Contacted to clarify the position of the minister, the entourage of Jean-Michel Blanquer evokes an ambiguity and affirms that he evoked the possibility of a sports boycott, in his capacity as Minister of Sports. “It is not for the Minister of Sports to position himself on a diplomatic boycott”, we explain to the Parisian Today in France, referring to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and explaining that a clarification on the subject was going to be made . Asked, the Quai d’Orsay refers to its position of Tuesday, December 7, which referred to that of the Élysée of the same day: that of coordination at the level of the European Union on the presence or not of heads of State or members of governments in China.
The subject could be discussed at the European Council on December 16 and 17, or on Monday between foreign ministers. But for now, this point is not on the agenda of the Foreign Affairs Council where the tenant of the Quai d’Orsay Jean-Yves Le Drian is expected.
