France is getting ready to welcome over 100 heads of state and authorities, royalty and US First Woman Jill Biden for the Summer time Olympics which start with a stunning ceremony on the river Seine on Friday. No Russian official representing Vladimir Putin’s authorities has been invited because of the Kremlin’s battle towards Ukraine, whereas an Israeli delegation will probably be closely protected as tensions rage over Israel’s persevering with bombardment of Gaza. “We’re able to welcome the world,” mentioned Samuel Ducroquet, France’s ambassador for Sports activities.
Europeans however no Russia
Russia, lengthy a Summer time Olympics powerhouse, has been banned from the Paris Video games in response to Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, now in its third 12 months, however a tiny squad of impartial athletes will signify the nation.
Struggle-torn Ukraine has but to announce whether or not President Volodymyr Zelensky will attend the three-hour ceremony.
The brand new British prime minister, Keir Starmer, who’s eager to strengthen ties with France, will probably be within the stands overlooking the Seine to observe the spectacular river parade.
Paris 2024 “is a giant occasion for France but in addition for the UK,” mentioned Menna Rawlings, the British ambassador to France, including that round 500,000 tickets had been offered in Britain.
Different European leaders anticipated to attend embrace German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Italy’s president Sergio Mattarella and Finland’s Alexander Stubb, and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
US first woman
US President Joe Biden, 81, who has introduced he’s dropping his re-election bid and is recovering from Covid, is not going to fly to Paris, however US First Woman Jill Biden has confirmed her presence on the Olympics.
The closing ceremony will probably be attended by Douglas Emhoff, the husband of Vice President Kamala Harris, who’s now within the working for the White Home.
Israeli delegation
Israeli President Isaac Herzog will attend the ceremony, beneath heavy safety, regardless of protests from Tehran, which known as on Tuesday to ban Israel from the Olympics due to the unrelenting bombardment of Gaza because the October 7 Hamas assaults.
The pinnacle of the Palestinian Olympic Committee, Jibril Rajoub, will signify Palestinian Authority chief Mahmoud Abbas.
Gulf states
Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman — popularly recognized by his initials MBS — and Emirati President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan have saved their plans beneath wraps.
However the Emir of Qatar Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, a member of the Worldwide Olympic Committee (IOC), was seen in Paris on the conventional pre-Video games session.
Argentina’s Milei
Chinese language President Xi Jinping will skip the Paris version and be represented by Vice President Han Zheng.
Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has entrusted his spouse Rosangela with representing the nation, however Argentine chief Javier Milei and Colombia’s Gustavo Petro have confirmed their attendance.
The participation of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is unsure, as is that of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
African leaders
Brice Oligui Nguema of Gabon and Faustin Archange Touadera of the Central African Republic will each be current, however the attendance of Cameroonian chief Paul Biya has not been formally confirmed.
The brand new Senegalese president, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, will probably be there however South Africa’s Cyril Ramaphosa will skip the event.
The opening ceremony will coincide with the primary anniversary of a coup that ousted Niger’s President Mohamed Bazoum, and the nation will probably be represented by sports activities ministry official Abdoulaye Mohamadou.
Royalty
Britain’s Princess Anne, sister of King Charles III, and Prince Albert of Monaco arrived on Monday to attend the IOC assembly — each are IOC members.
The King of Spain Felipe VI can be anticipated. Denmark will probably be represented by King Frederik X and Queen Mary, in addition to Princess Benedikte, the sovereign’s octogenarian aunt.
Ceasefire name
Wars in Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo and different locations usually are not anticipated to cease, however the Olympics will probably be a chance for intense diplomatic exercise.
On Friday, UN Secretary-Normal Antonio Guterres is predicted to name on nations to “lay down their arms”, and Macron has additionally known as for “an Olympic truce”.
(Apart from the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV workers and is revealed from a syndicated feed.)
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