European Commission member Margaritis Schinas and Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Jansa stated on Sunday (July 18) that they have asked Slovenian athletes-currently the rotating presidency of the European Council-to be allowed to carry the EU star flag and their own flag. The opening ceremony of the Tokyo Olympics.
Schinas and Jansa wrote in a statement that juxtaposing the EU flag with their national flag will “make Slovenian athletes an ambassador for the unity of Europe and the values that underpin our league, which matches the values of the Olympic Movement.” letter Thomas Bach, President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
Schinas-whose role on the committee team includes “promoting European lifestyle” and sports elements-wrote that the flag can be used as a “symbol of peaceful coexistence, tolerance and unity.”
Both wrote to Bach, “We will fully support you in introducing this special and historic gesture in any way you see fit”, adding that it can be “a powerful force that must be celebrated through this event to celebrate unity and peace.” Representatives, as the basics, they are in line with the European spirit and the Olympic spirit.”
Jansa and Schinas wrote: “We believe that as two organizations united by these common values, the European Union and the International Olympic Committee are in a unique position to promote peace and understanding when the world needs it most.”
The Olympic Games are scheduled to be held in Tokyo, Japan from July 23 to August 8.
French Minister of Europe Clement Bohn was one of the first to respond Say He “fully supports” this idea.
This is not the first time the EU has made such a push.
In 2004, Romano Prodi, then President of the European Commission call During the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games in China, athletes from EU member states can display the EU flag and their national flag.
One country that cannot fly its own flag in Tokyo is Russia-its team name, flag and national anthem banned Starting from this year’s Tokyo Olympics and the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, the International Court of Arbitration for Sports has accused of large-scale doping.
[Edited by Frédéric Simon]
