Russian and Belarusian equestrian athletes will not be able to participate at the 2024 Paris Olympics, even as neutral athletes, the sport's global governing body said.

Earlier this month the International Olympic Committee (IOC) approved the participation of Russians and Belarusians who qualify in their sport for the 2024 Olympics as neutrals without flags, emblems or anthems.

Russians and Belarusians had initially been banned from competing internationally following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, for which Belarus has been used as a staging ground.

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The International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI) has prohibited Russian and Belarusian athletes, horses and officials from participating in its events since last year.

"According to the Olympic Qualification Systems for Equestrian, individual qualification is secured through the FEI Olympic Rankings... from 1 January 2023 to 31 December 2023," the FEI said on Thursday.

"Since Russian and Belarusian athletes have not competed in FEI Events since 2 March 2022, no representatives of these nations will take part in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games."

The measures prohibiting participation of athletes from the two countries remain in place going into next year, the FEI said.

"No FEI Events organised in Russia and Belarus can be entered in the FEI Calendar for 2024," the statement added.

Russian and Belarusian equestrian athletes will not be able to participate at the 2024 Paris Olympics, even as neutral athletes, the sport's global governing body said.

Russian and Belarusian equestrian athletes will not be able to participate at the 2024 Paris Olympics, even as neutral athletes, the sport's global governing body said. Earlier this month the International Olympic Committee (IOC) approved the participation of Russians and Belarusians who qualify in their sport for the 2024 Olympics as neutrals without flags, emblems or anthems. Russians and Belarusians had initially been banned from competing internationally following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, for which Belarus has been used as a staging ground. ALSO READ: Rewind 2023: The year when Lionel Messi added another Ballon d'Or to his collection The International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI) has prohibited Russian and Belarusian athletes, horses and officials from participating in its events since last year. "According to the Olympic Qualification Systems for Equestrian, individual qualification is secured through the FEI Olympic Rankings... from 1 January 2023 to 31 December 2023," the FEI said on Thursday. "Since Russian and Belarusian athletes have not competed in FEI Events since 2 March 2022, no representatives of these nations will take part in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games." The measures prohibiting participation of athletes from the two countries remain in place going into next year, the FEI said. "No FEI Events organised in Russia and Belarus can be entered in the FEI Calendar for 2024," the statement added.

Russian, Belarusian equestrians won't perform at Paris Olympics, not even as neutral athletes

French investigators have raided the offices of the 2024 Paris Olympics organisers and event management firms involved in the opening ceremony, sources close to the probe told AFP on Thursday.

The sources said the raids took place on Wednesday as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged favouritism in the awarding of contracts linked to the Olympics.

The searches are part of investigations into contracts awarded for the Games that are being led by the French National Financial Prosecutor's Office (PNF).

"Paris 2024 confirms that the PNF attended its headquarters on Wednesday, October 18 and obtained all of the information that it asked for. Paris 2024 is cooperating fully with the investigation as it has always done," the organising committee said in a statement.

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The searches on Wednesday focused on an event management company called Paname 24, which has a leading role in organising the opening ceremony on the Seine on July 26, an event that takes the event outside of a stadium setting for the first time at a Summer Olympics.

It is also scheduled to organise the opening ceremony of the Paralympics on August 28.

The first raids took place in June, targeting the organising committee's headquarters and the offices of Solideo, the company responsible for the construction of Olympic sites.

Investigators then also raided the homes of two of its high-ranking officials, Etienne Thobois, the Chief Executive Officer of Paris 2024, and Edouard Donnelly, the executive director of operations, and the offices of a consulting firm the two men founded.

A source close to the investigation said it concerned around 20 contracts.

The Paris Olympics take place from July 26 to August 11.

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French investigators have raided the offices of the 2024 Paris Olympics organisers and event management firms involved in the opening ceremony, sources close to the probe told AFP on Thursday.

French investigators have raided the offices of the 2024 Paris Olympics organisers and event management firms involved in the opening ceremony, sources close to the probe told AFP on Thursday. The sources said the raids took place on Wednesday as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged favouritism in the awarding of contracts linked to the Olympics. The searches are part of investigations into contracts awarded for the Games that are being led by the French National Financial Prosecutor's Office (PNF). "Paris 2024 confirms that the PNF attended its headquarters on Wednesday, October 18 and obtained all of the information that it asked for. Paris 2024 is cooperating fully with the investigation as it has always done," the organising committee said in a statement. ALSO READ: I thought I was done, gone: Ben Stokes on hearing hip ‘pop’ during gym session ahead of World Cup 2023 The searches on Wednesday focused on an event management company called Paname 24, which has a leading role in organising the opening ceremony on the Seine on July 26, an event that takes the event outside of a stadium setting for the first time at a Summer Olympics. It is also scheduled to organise the opening ceremony of the Paralympics on August 28. The first raids took place in June, targeting the organising committee's headquarters and the offices of Solideo, the company responsible for the construction of Olympic sites. Investigators then also raided the homes of two of its high-ranking officials, Etienne Thobois, the Chief Executive Officer of Paris 2024, and Edouard Donnelly, the executive director of operations, and the offices of a consulting firm the two men founded. A source close to the investigation said it concerned around 20 contracts. The Paris Olympics take place from July 26 to August 11. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Olympics: Paris Games organisers and event management firms raided - Sources

French President Emmanuel Macron insisted Wednesday that "the Russian flag cannot be at the Paris Olympic Games... at a time when Russia is committing war crimes". 
 
Quizzed on the possible presence of Russian athletes in Paris competing as neutrals, Macron added: "I hope that this is a decision of conscience in the Olympic world. It is not the host state which must decide what the International Olympic Committee (IOC) should do."

He added to sports daily L'Equipe: "I have total confidence in Thomas Bach (the IOC president)".

Athletes from Russia and Belarus have faced sanctions from a multitude of sports since Russia invaded Ukraine in February of 2022.

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Despite the ongoing war, the IOC has recommended allowing athletes from Russia and Moscow ally Belarus to compete as individual neutrals in international competitions. 
Those allowed to reintegrate into world sport must satisfy certain conditions.

These include competing under a neutral flag and proving that they have not actively supported the war in Ukraine.

"Obviously, there cannot be the Russian flag at the Paris Games, I think there is consensus," Macron added in his interview with L'Equipe. "There is no place for Russia as a country at a time when it has committed war crimes, when it has deported children."

"The real question that the Olympic world will have to decide is what place to give to these Russian athletes who sometimes have prepared for a lifetime, and can also be the victims of this regime."

However, Macron pondered how to differentiate between those Russian athletes who are accomplices and those who are victims of the regime.

"This is the real question," he added.

The IOC must, he said, make a decision that is fair and understood by Ukrainians. 
 
"This is the balancing act that we will have to carry out." 
 
&nbsp;

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French President Emmanuel Macron insisted Wednesday that "the Russian flag cannot be at the Paris Olympic Games... at a time when Russia is committing war crimes".

French President Emmanuel Macron insisted Wednesday that "the Russian flag cannot be at the Paris Olympic Games... at a time when Russia is committing war crimes". Quizzed on the possible presence of Russian athletes in Paris competing as neutrals, Macron added: "I hope that this is a decision of conscience in the Olympic world. It is not the host state which must decide what the International Olympic Committee (IOC) should do." He added to sports daily L'Equipe: "I have total confidence in Thomas Bach (the IOC president)". Athletes from Russia and Belarus have faced sanctions from a multitude of sports since Russia invaded Ukraine in February of 2022. ALSO READ: Former champion Naomi Osaka to return for 2024 Australian Open Despite the ongoing war, the IOC has recommended allowing athletes from Russia and Moscow ally Belarus to compete as individual neutrals in international competitions. Those allowed to reintegrate into world sport must satisfy certain conditions. These include competing under a neutral flag and proving that they have not actively supported the war in Ukraine. "Obviously, there cannot be the Russian flag at the Paris Games, I think there is consensus," Macron added in his interview with L'Equipe. "There is no place for Russia as a country at a time when it has committed war crimes, when it has deported children." "The real question that the Olympic world will have to decide is what place to give to these Russian athletes who sometimes have prepared for a lifetime, and can also be the victims of this regime." However, Macron pondered how to differentiate between those Russian athletes who are accomplices and those who are victims of the regime. "This is the real question," he added. The IOC must, he said, make a decision that is fair and understood by Ukrainians. "This is the balancing act that we will have to carry out." WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Russian flag cannot be at Paris Olympic Games, insists Emmanuel Macron

Olympic gold medalist in javelin throw, India’s Neeraj Chopra qualifies for finals of the ongoing World Athletic Championship in Budapest, Hungary, with a massive 88.77-metre throw – best of the lot and season. With this throw, Neeraj, who reigned supreme at the Tokyo Olympics two years back, has sealed his ticket for the 2024 Paris Summer Games.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Showing how it's done ‼️ 
 
🇮🇳's <a href="https://twitter.com/Neeraj_chopra1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Neeraj_chopra1</a> launches an absolute missile in the first round of the men's javelin throw. 
 
88.77m and a big Q to the final 🙌<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WorldAthleticsChamps?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WorldAthleticsChamps</a> <a href="https://t.co/Zfz2MFU10P">pic.twitter.com/Zfz2MFU10P</a>
— World Athletics (@WorldAthletics) <a href="https://twitter.com/WorldAthletics/status/1694993211339543021?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 25, 2023</a></blockquote>
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Neeraj attained this mark in his first attempt, as none of the remaining participants in Group A crossed the 83.0 mark, while fellow Indian DP Manu achieved&nbsp;81.31m (in his second attempt) and stood third. Germany’s Julian Weber finished second with his best throw of 82.39m.

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Manu’s qualification for the finals is still not ensured as it will depend on the results from Group B, where Kishore Jena is taking part.

Meanwhile, a total of 37 javelin throwers are divided into two groups – A and B, with each eyeing to finish for a place in the 12-man final, scheduled to take place on Sunday. The automatic qualifying mark is 83.00m.

<h3>Here’s the list result of participants from Group A –</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Neeraj Chopra - 88.77m (Q) - SB</li>
	<li>Julian Weber (GER) - 82.39</li>
	<li>DP Manu (IND) - 81.31</li>
	<li>Dawid Wegner (POL) - 81.25</li>
	<li>Toni Kuusela (FIN) - 79.27m</li>
	<li>Roderick Dean (JPN) - 78.57</li>
	<li>Anderson Peters (GRN) - 78.49</li>
	<li>Julius Yego (KEN) - 78.42</li>
	<li>Patriks Gailums (LAT) - 77.43</li>
	<li>Kenji Ogura (JPN) - 76.65</li>
	<li>Capers Williamson (USA) - 76.10</li>
	<li>Douw Smit (RSA) - 75.03</li>
	<li>Felise Sosaia (FRA) - 74.80</li>
	<li>Curtis Thompson (USA) - 74.21</li>
	<li>Leandro Ramos (POR) - 74.03</li>
	<li>Gatis Cakss (LAT) - 73.42</li>
	<li>Pedro Rodrigues (BRA) - 72.34</li>
</ul>

<h2>Neeraj eyes to break 90m barrier</h2>

Following winning India’s maiden gold medal in Athletics at the Summer Games in the previous edition in Tokyo with an 87.58m throw, India’s newest star headlined the Diamond League last year in Stockholm with his career-best throw of 89.94, coming close to reaching the 90m-mark.

A man on a mission, Neeraj eyes to break that barrier to remain in contention for the gold medal in Paris next year.&nbsp;

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Olympic gold medalist in javelin throw, India’s Neeraj Chopra qualifies for finals of the ongoing World Athletic Championship in Budapest, Hungary, with a massive 88.

Olympic gold medalist in javelin throw, India’s Neeraj Chopra qualifies for finals of the ongoing World Athletic Championship in Budapest, Hungary, with a massive 88.77-metre throw – best of the lot and season. With this throw, Neeraj, who reigned supreme at the Tokyo Olympics two years back, has sealed his ticket for the 2024 Paris Summer Games. Showing how it's done ‼️ 🇮🇳's @Neeraj_chopra1 launches an absolute missile in the first round of the men's javelin throw. 88.77m and a big Q to the final 🙌#WorldAthleticsChamps pic.twitter.com/Zfz2MFU10P — World Athletics (@WorldAthletics) August 25, 2023 × Neeraj attained this mark in his first attempt, as none of the remaining participants in Group A crossed the 83.0 mark, while fellow Indian DP Manu achieved 81.31m (in his second attempt) and stood third. Germany’s Julian Weber finished second with his best throw of 82.39m. ALSO READ: Post pictures, not confidential information: BCCI schools players after Kohli reveals Yo-Yo score on Instagram Manu’s qualification for the finals is still not ensured as it will depend on the results from Group B, where Kishore Jena is taking part. Meanwhile, a total of 37 javelin throwers are divided into two groups – A and B, with each eyeing to finish for a place in the 12-man final, scheduled to take place on Sunday. The automatic qualifying mark is 83.00m. Here’s the list result of participants from Group A – Neeraj Chopra - 88.77m (Q) - SB Julian Weber (GER) - 82.39 DP Manu (IND) - 81.31 Dawid Wegner (POL) - 81.25 Toni Kuusela (FIN) - 79.27m Roderick Dean (JPN) - 78.57 Anderson Peters (GRN) - 78.49 Julius Yego (KEN) - 78.42 Patriks Gailums (LAT) - 77.43 Kenji Ogura (JPN) - 76.65 Capers Williamson (USA) - 76.10 Douw Smit (RSA) - 75.03 Felise Sosaia (FRA) - 74.80 Curtis Thompson (USA) - 74.21 Leandro Ramos (POR) - 74.03 Gatis Cakss (LAT) - 73.42 Pedro Rodrigues (BRA) - 72.34 Neeraj eyes to break 90m barrier Following winning India’s maiden gold medal in Athletics at the Summer Games in the previous edition in Tokyo with an 87.58m throw, India’s newest star headlined the Diamond League last year in Stockholm with his career-best throw of 89.94, coming close to reaching the 90m-mark. A man on a mission, Neeraj eyes to break that barrier to remain in contention for the gold medal in Paris next year. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

World Athletics Championship: Neeraj Chopra qualifies for finals with 88.77m throw, seals Paris Games berth

I-Day special: How India, a sporting powerhouse, is set for further glory in coming year

Ukraine's Olga Kharlan was invited to compete at the Olympic Games in Paris next year by the IOC on Friday after the fencer was disqualified for refusing to shake hands with a Russian opponent during a tournament earlier this week.

A letter sent to Kharlan signed by International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach said she would be granted an additional quota place at the Olympics if she failed to qualify.

"Rest assured the IOC will continue to stand in full solidarity with the Ukrainian athletes and the Olympic community of Ukraine during these extremely difficult times," it added.

Kharlan, a four-time Olympic medallist and world champion, won her individual sabre bout 15-7 and then refused to shake hands with Russian Anna Smirnova - competing as a neutral - at the World Championships in Milan on Thursday.

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In fencing's rules, shaking an opponent's hand is mandatory and failure to do so results in a 'black card'.

Ukraine's Youth and Sports minister Vadym Huttsait welcomed the IOC decision in a Facebook post.

"Despite all the hate that my team and I have endured over the past 24 hours, after working persistently for the benefit of Ukrainian athletes and not responding to this, we now have our first result," he said.

"Work is continuing to rescind the "black card" for Olha's future competitions and to prevent similar situations in other sports."

Ukraine's Fencing Federation (NFFU) also backed Kharlan.

Ukrainian athletes in other sports - including tennis players Elina Svitolina and Marta Kostyuk - have also refused to shake hands with Russian and Belarusian opponents following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, with Moscow using Belarus as a staging ground for what it calls a "special military operation".

The IOC said earlier on Friday that international federations should handle situations involving Ukrainian and neutral athletes with sensitivity.

<h2>RULES RELAXED</h2>

Kharlan represented Ukraine in the fencing tournament after the country's sports ministry relaxed its rules over national sports teams taking part in Olympic, non-Olympic and Paralympic events with competitors from Russia and Belarus.

"The decision taken by the Ukraine sports ministry will allow Ukrainian athletes to participate in international competitions and will enable them to qualify for the Olympic Games Paris 2024," the IOC told Reuters on Friday.

"We are glad that they will be given this opportunity, and at the same time, we are aware of the difficult inner conflicts they may have, given the aggression against their country.

"Therefore, we encourage International Federations to handle situations involving Ukrainian and Individual Neutral Athletes with the necessary degree of sensitivity.

"We continue to stand in full solidarity with the Ukrainian athletes and the Olympic community of Ukraine."

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Ukraine's Olga Kharlan was invited to compete at the Olympic Games in Paris next year by the IOC on Friday after the fencer was disqualified for refusing to shake hands with a Russian opponent during a tournament earlier this week.

Ukraine's Olga Kharlan was invited to compete at the Olympic Games in Paris next year by the IOC on Friday after the fencer was disqualified for refusing to shake hands with a Russian opponent during a tournament earlier this week. A letter sent to Kharlan signed by International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach said she would be granted an additional quota place at the Olympics if she failed to qualify. "Rest assured the IOC will continue to stand in full solidarity with the Ukrainian athletes and the Olympic community of Ukraine during these extremely difficult times," it added. Kharlan, a four-time Olympic medallist and world champion, won her individual sabre bout 15-7 and then refused to shake hands with Russian Anna Smirnova - competing as a neutral - at the World Championships in Milan on Thursday. ALSO READ: Juventus excluded from European competition next season over FFP breach - UEFA In fencing's rules, shaking an opponent's hand is mandatory and failure to do so results in a 'black card'. Ukraine's Youth and Sports minister Vadym Huttsait welcomed the IOC decision in a Facebook post. "Despite all the hate that my team and I have endured over the past 24 hours, after working persistently for the benefit of Ukrainian athletes and not responding to this, we now have our first result," he said. "Work is continuing to rescind the "black card" for Olha's future competitions and to prevent similar situations in other sports." Ukraine's Fencing Federation (NFFU) also backed Kharlan. Ukrainian athletes in other sports - including tennis players Elina Svitolina and Marta Kostyuk - have also refused to shake hands with Russian and Belarusian opponents following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, with Moscow using Belarus as a staging ground for what it calls a "special military operation". The IOC said earlier on Friday that international federations should handle situations involving Ukrainian and neutral athletes with sensitivity. RULES RELAXED Kharlan represented Ukraine in the fencing tournament after the country's sports ministry relaxed its rules over national sports teams taking part in Olympic, non-Olympic and Paralympic events with competitors from Russia and Belarus. "The decision taken by the Ukraine sports ministry will allow Ukrainian athletes to participate in international competitions and will enable them to qualify for the Olympic Games Paris 2024," the IOC told Reuters on Friday. "We are glad that they will be given this opportunity, and at the same time, we are aware of the difficult inner conflicts they may have, given the aggression against their country. "Therefore, we encourage International Federations to handle situations involving Ukrainian and Individual Neutral Athletes with the necessary degree of sensitivity. "We continue to stand in full solidarity with the Ukrainian athletes and the Olympic community of Ukraine." WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Olympics: IOC invites Ukrainian fencer Olga Kharlan to Paris Games after disqualification

The 2024 Paris Olympics are coming in significantly over budget because of an "incomprehensible lack of understanding of the complexity of the IOC's specifications", France's Court of Audit has found. The court's latest report, which was sent to AFP on Wednesday, said the Paris bid committee 'underestimated'&nbsp;the costs of staging the Games at the time of the bid and warned that cuts might be needed before next summer.

"Further measures to reduce service levels will be required to ensure final budgetary equilibrium," said the report adding that "substantial uncertainties remain concerning the final level of resources."

The report also highlighted difficulty securing enough bids from private security firms, sponsorship shortfalls, the difficulty in working out total costs and delays in finishing construction, particularly of transport infrastructure.

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The budget for the organising committee, known as Cojo, around 3.3 billion euros at the time of the successful bid in 2017, rose to 4.4 billion euros by the end of 2022.

The report estimated that "two-thirds" of the increase "resulted not from management drift or ill-considered changes to the project, but from an obvious underestimation of the bid budget and an incomprehensible lack of understanding of the complexity of the IOC's (International Olympic Committee) specifications".

The report said budget revisions for 2022, by an extra 400 million euros, partly due to inflation, "were carried out transparently and rigorously" by Cojo.

The report comes just after French authorities carried out a series of raids on Cojo, Solideo, the body in charge of the Olympic construction sites, and other companies with ties to the Games.

A source close to the case told AFP that the searches on Tuesday and Wednesday, were part of two preliminary investigations by the French National Financial Prosecutor's Office into the contracts awarded for the Paris Olympics.

Meanwhile, the audit report said it was concerned over local sponsorship deals, which are budgeted to bring Cojo 1.24 billion euros.

"Some 337.2 million euros remain to be secured, which means it is imperative to conclude the partnership with (French luxury giant) LVMH, announced for 140 million but still not signed," said the report.

The report reiterated a request that "all costs" be "consolidated" because it was impossible to establish a clear total bill.

The court also expressed concern at the failure of Cojo to attract enough bidders for private security contracts.

<h2>Underestimating budget now costing Paris</h2>

Despite "the combined efforts of the Cojo, the State and the professional sector, there is a real risk that several calls for tender will remain unsuccessful," it said.

The report added that "the now-probable recourse to internal security forces and the armed forces to make up for this shortfall must therefore be anticipated."

The report also fretted about failure to complete metro train improvements and extensions on time as well as continuing issues afflicting public transport in the region.

"These infrastructure projects remain essential to ensure the smooth flow of traffic during the Games", said the report.

The report also urged Solideo to take "reinforcement measures" to ensure the completion of "certain structures affected by delays" such as the athletes' village, media village, and at least one arena.

&nbsp;

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The 2024 Paris Olympics are coming in significantly over budget because of an "incomprehensible lack of understanding of the complexity of the IOC's specifications", France's Court of Audit has found.

The 2024 Paris Olympics are coming in significantly over budget because of an "incomprehensible lack of understanding of the complexity of the IOC's specifications", France's Court of Audit has found. The court's latest report, which was sent to AFP on Wednesday, said the Paris bid committee 'underestimated' the costs of staging the Games at the time of the bid and warned that cuts might be needed before next summer. "Further measures to reduce service levels will be required to ensure final budgetary equilibrium," said the report adding that "substantial uncertainties remain concerning the final level of resources." The report also highlighted difficulty securing enough bids from private security firms, sponsorship shortfalls, the difficulty in working out total costs and delays in finishing construction, particularly of transport infrastructure. ALSO READ: US Senate panel invites PGA Tour commissioner, LIV CEO to testify on merger The budget for the organising committee, known as Cojo, around 3.3 billion euros at the time of the successful bid in 2017, rose to 4.4 billion euros by the end of 2022. The report estimated that "two-thirds" of the increase "resulted not from management drift or ill-considered changes to the project, but from an obvious underestimation of the bid budget and an incomprehensible lack of understanding of the complexity of the IOC's (International Olympic Committee) specifications". The report said budget revisions for 2022, by an extra 400 million euros, partly due to inflation, "were carried out transparently and rigorously" by Cojo. The report comes just after French authorities carried out a series of raids on Cojo, Solideo, the body in charge of the Olympic construction sites, and other companies with ties to the Games. A source close to the case told AFP that the searches on Tuesday and Wednesday, were part of two preliminary investigations by the French National Financial Prosecutor's Office into the contracts awarded for the Paris Olympics. Meanwhile, the audit report said it was concerned over local sponsorship deals, which are budgeted to bring Cojo 1.24 billion euros. "Some 337.2 million euros remain to be secured, which means it is imperative to conclude the partnership with (French luxury giant) LVMH, announced for 140 million but still not signed," said the report. The report reiterated a request that "all costs" be "consolidated" because it was impossible to establish a clear total bill. The court also expressed concern at the failure of Cojo to attract enough bidders for private security contracts. Underestimating budget now costing Paris Despite "the combined efforts of the Cojo, the State and the professional sector, there is a real risk that several calls for tender will remain unsuccessful," it said. The report added that "the now-probable recourse to internal security forces and the armed forces to make up for this shortfall must therefore be anticipated." The report also fretted about failure to complete metro train improvements and extensions on time as well as continuing issues afflicting public transport in the region. "These infrastructure projects remain essential to ensure the smooth flow of traffic during the Games", said the report. The report also urged Solideo to take "reinforcement measures" to ensure the completion of "certain structures affected by delays" such as the athletes' village, media village, and at least one arena. WATCH WON LIVE HERE:

2024 Paris Olympics: Bidding committee 'underestimated' budget, says government report

French Olympic Committee (CNOSF) president Brigitte Henriques has resigned a little over a year before the Paris 2024 Summer Games, the CNOSF said on Thursday.

"At the opening of the CNOSF general assembly held today at the Maison du Sport Français, Brigitte Henriques announced her decision to step down as president of the French National Olympic and Sports Committee," the CNOSF said in a statement.

The Paris 2024 Olympics will be held from July 26-Aug. 11.

Henriques had asked the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to launch an internal audit of the CNOSF amid a long-standing row with former general secretary Didier Seminet.

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Henriques returned to her position last December following two months sick leave after accusing Seminet of "psychological violence".

Seminet has denied the allegations and filed a defamation suit against Henriques.

The CNOSF is not related to the Paris 2024 organising committee.

"Astrid Guyart, general secretary of the CNOSF, will assume the presidency ... during this transitional period and will have to organise a Board of Directors that will elect a president from among its members within the next three months," the statement added. "Brigitte Henriques calls on all members of the sports movement to remain mobilised on the essential and paramount objective: the full success of the Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2024."

Henriques had also been at odds with her predecessor Denis Masseglia, with her lawyer, Arash Derambarsh, saying last month that she and the CNOSF had been targeted by a campaign of "destabilisation, false information and lies".

"I would like to sincerely thank and salute Brigitte Henriques for her commitment to French sport. For the past two years, she has been at Paris 2024's side at all times," Paris 2024 president Tony Estanguet said in a statement sent to Reuters.

"Today, one year before the Games, I call for collective responsibility. It is urgent to find a climate of peace and stability so that the sport movement is at the heart of the success of the Games."

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French Olympic Committee (CNOSF) president Brigitte Henriques has resigned a little over a year before the Paris 2024 Summer Games, the CNOSF said on Thursday. "At the opening of the CNOSF general assembly held today at the Maison du Sport Français, Brigitte Henriques announced her decision to step down as president of the French National Olympic and Sports Committee," the CNOSF said in a statement.

French Olympic Committee (CNOSF) president Brigitte Henriques has resigned a little over a year before the Paris 2024 Summer Games, the CNOSF said on Thursday. "At the opening of the CNOSF general assembly held today at the Maison du Sport Français, Brigitte Henriques announced her decision to step down as president of the French National Olympic and Sports Committee," the CNOSF said in a statement. The Paris 2024 Olympics will be held from July 26-Aug. 11. Henriques had asked the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to launch an internal audit of the CNOSF amid a long-standing row with former general secretary Didier Seminet. ALSO READ: Monaco GP: Lewis Hamilton says Mercedes deal is close, no Ferrari talks; opines on Vinicius Jr's racism case Henriques returned to her position last December following two months sick leave after accusing Seminet of "psychological violence". Seminet has denied the allegations and filed a defamation suit against Henriques. The CNOSF is not related to the Paris 2024 organising committee. "Astrid Guyart, general secretary of the CNOSF, will assume the presidency ... during this transitional period and will have to organise a Board of Directors that will elect a president from among its members within the next three months," the statement added. "Brigitte Henriques calls on all members of the sports movement to remain mobilised on the essential and paramount objective: the full success of the Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2024." Henriques had also been at odds with her predecessor Denis Masseglia, with her lawyer, Arash Derambarsh, saying last month that she and the CNOSF had been targeted by a campaign of "destabilisation, false information and lies". "I would like to sincerely thank and salute Brigitte Henriques for her commitment to French sport. For the past two years, she has been at Paris 2024's side at all times," Paris 2024 president Tony Estanguet said in a statement sent to Reuters. "Today, one year before the Games, I call for collective responsibility. It is urgent to find a climate of peace and stability so that the sport movement is at the heart of the success of the Games." WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

French Olympic Committee prez Brigitte Henriques resigns ahead of Paris Games amid row with Didier Seminet

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) on Thursday raised the possibility of boxing being excluded from the 2024 Paris Games, saying its Russian-led world body showed it had "no real interest" in the sport or its athletes. The International Boxing Association (IBA) was stripped of involvement in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and boxing is not on the initial programme for the 2028 Los Angeles Games, pending reforms demanded by the IOC.

Qualifying for the Paris 2024 boxing tournament is being organised by the IOC but it said that concerns regarding the IBA mean it will take further decisions that "may have to include the cancellation of boxing for the Olympic Games Paris 2024".

An IOC spokesperson said: "The recent IBA Congress has shown once more that IBA has no real interest in the sport of boxing and the boxers, but is only interested in its own power.

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"The decisions and discussions to keep boxers away from the Olympic qualifiers and the Olympic Games cannot be understood differently."

The IBA is run by Russian Umar Kremlev with backing from Russian energy firm Gazprom. The IOC spokesperson said the IBA extending its deal with Gazprom recently showed it had "no will to understand the real issues.

"The extension of the sponsorship contract with Gazprom as sole main sponsor of IBA reinforces the concerns, which the IOC has expressed since 2019 over and over again," the spokesperson added.

"This announcement confirms that IBA will continue to depend on a company largely controlled by the Russian government."

An extraordinary IBA congress in September voted against holding a new election, allowing Kremlev to remain as president, after a Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruling that Dutch candidate Boris van der Vorst was wrongly prevented from standing.

The spokesperson said the IOC's concerns included the handling of the CAS decision.

"The IOC will have to take all this into consideration when it takes further decisions, which may -- after these latest developments -- have to include the cancellation of boxing for the Olympic Games Paris 2024."

IBA replied on Friday with a message to what the organisation referred to as the boxing family, saying they will continue to fight for its athletes to compete in the Olympics.

"It is clear, that the persecution of IBA athletes will continue until ultimate control of boxing and its leadership has been achieved," IBA said in a statement.

"The discrimination against you and IBA’s leadership and partners based on citizenship, directly contradicts the Olympic Charter, and only highlights the issue of athletes and sport being manipulated for geopolitical purposes.

"With that said, with the threat of Boxing being removed from the Paris 2024 programme, IBA will continue to reach out to the senior leadership of the IOC to work towards a de-escalation of this current development and with a view to LA 2028."

Earlier this month, the IBA accused Olympic organisers of "persecution" in response to its suspension over governance and finance issues.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) on Thursday raised the possibility of boxing being excluded from the 2024 Paris Games, saying its Russian-led world body showed it had "no real interest" in the sport or its athletes.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) on Thursday raised the possibility of boxing being excluded from the 2024 Paris Games, saying its Russian-led world body showed it had "no real interest" in the sport or its athletes. The International Boxing Association (IBA) was stripped of involvement in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and boxing is not on the initial programme for the 2028 Los Angeles Games, pending reforms demanded by the IOC. Qualifying for the Paris 2024 boxing tournament is being organised by the IOC but it said that concerns regarding the IBA mean it will take further decisions that "may have to include the cancellation of boxing for the Olympic Games Paris 2024". An IOC spokesperson said: "The recent IBA Congress has shown once more that IBA has no real interest in the sport of boxing and the boxers, but is only interested in its own power. ALSO READ: YouTube TV win rights to broadcast NFL matches in USA in 2023 "The decisions and discussions to keep boxers away from the Olympic qualifiers and the Olympic Games cannot be understood differently." The IBA is run by Russian Umar Kremlev with backing from Russian energy firm Gazprom. The IOC spokesperson said the IBA extending its deal with Gazprom recently showed it had "no will to understand the real issues. "The extension of the sponsorship contract with Gazprom as sole main sponsor of IBA reinforces the concerns, which the IOC has expressed since 2019 over and over again," the spokesperson added. "This announcement confirms that IBA will continue to depend on a company largely controlled by the Russian government." An extraordinary IBA congress in September voted against holding a new election, allowing Kremlev to remain as president, after a Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruling that Dutch candidate Boris van der Vorst was wrongly prevented from standing. The spokesperson said the IOC's concerns included the handling of the CAS decision. "The IOC will have to take all this into consideration when it takes further decisions, which may -- after these latest developments -- have to include the cancellation of boxing for the Olympic Games Paris 2024." IBA replied on Friday with a message to what the organisation referred to as the boxing family, saying they will continue to fight for its athletes to compete in the Olympics. "It is clear, that the persecution of IBA athletes will continue until ultimate control of boxing and its leadership has been achieved," IBA said in a statement. "The discrimination against you and IBA’s leadership and partners based on citizenship, directly contradicts the Olympic Charter, and only highlights the issue of athletes and sport being manipulated for geopolitical purposes. "With that said, with the threat of Boxing being removed from the Paris 2024 programme, IBA will continue to reach out to the senior leadership of the IOC to work towards a de-escalation of this current development and with a view to LA 2028." Earlier this month, the IBA accused Olympic organisers of "persecution" in response to its suspension over governance and finance issues.

Boxing is on verge of getting excluded from 2024 Paris Olympics, hints IOC

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