Russians and Belarusians Denied Visas to Attend Olympics Due to Spy Concerns

France has refused visas to approximately 100 journalists, therapists, and technical workers who were hoping to attend the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. The decision was driven by concerns over potential espionage, according to Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin in an interview with Le Journal du Dimanche. The affected individuals include citizens from Russia and Belarus.

The Olympics, scheduled from July 26 to August 11, will draw hundreds of thousands of international visitors. In addition to espionage concerns, Darmanin highlighted fears of cyberattacks during the event. In response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and Belarus’s support for it, both Russian and Belarusian teams have been barred from competing in the Games.