The debate is raging in Russia on the question of the participation of neutral athletes in the Paris 2024 Games. After the decision of the archery and climbing federations, in particular, not to send competitors to the next Olympic qualifying events, cycling in turn announced its position. It’s very different. Vyacheslav Ekimov, the president of the Russian Cycling Federation, explained this to the media: “ If we ignore the Paris 2024 Olympics, we risk not being allowed to participate in the next ones. Of course, we are not expected in Paris. But if we have the opportunity to send a few dozen people, then they should go. I don’t see any major reasons why we shouldn’t be present. We went to Tokyo 2020 and Beijing 2022, without a flag or anthem, but we went there, and then everyone honored our champions. No one is waiting for us in Paris, but we have to go. Otherwise, we will have given up without a fight. »