New Delhi: A fresh diplomatic row is brewing between Russia and France after the Olympic organizing committee revoked the accreditations of four journalists working for Russia’s state-run TASS news agency.
According to TASS, the decision was attributed to French authorities by the committee, but no specific reasons were provided to Moscow. The affected journalists included two reporters, a photographer, and one reporter based in France.
One of the journalists told Reuters that the organizers cited security concerns for the withdrawal of their accreditation. Despite having the accreditation, the reporter was denied entry after failing the security check.
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TASS has expressed surprise over the move, stating that the four journalists had entered Paris without any issues and three of them had even covered the opening ceremony without facing any complaints. The agency also highlighted France’s previous denial of accreditation to some Russian journalists, citing espionage concerns.
Russia’s Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova criticized French President Emmanuel Macron, accusing him of hypocrisy regarding free speech.
The incident comes amidst heightened tensions between Russia and the West over the ongoing war in Ukraine. Russia has faced widespread condemnation and sanctions for its invasion of Ukraine, including a ban on Russian athletes from competing under the Russian flag at the Paris Olympics.
Only 15 Russian athletes, who had to undergo a rigorous screening process to ensure they did not support the war, were allowed to participate in the Games. The event is also not being televised on Russian state television.
The revocation of TASS journalists’ accreditation is likely to further escalate tensions between the two countries and cast a shadow over the ongoing Olympic Games.
