What are the consequences of Donald Trump’s return to the White House for the World Sports Movement?
“I think he is not disputed that he likes sport. He had even organized a Trump Tour (at the end of the 80s, editor’s note), (which wanted to be a) competitor to the Tour de France. I tell myself that a man who organizes bicycle races, by definition, there may be something good! He has sports support in general. If I had to be elected, I have several immediate and essential trips: Milan-Cortina, since this is where the next Olympics will take place (in 2026, editor’s note), Los Angeles (host of the summer games in 2028) , and it also seems legitimate to meet the President of the United States. It will be an opportunity to reaffirm the autonomy of the sports movement, that it is up to the IOC to define which should participate or not in the games. »»
There may also be a question of the World Anti -Doping Agency (AMA, half funded by the IOC), to which the US have recently refused to pay their financial contribution …
“It is clear that with the release of WHO (World Health Organization), the release of the climate agreement, there is a will that multilateralism be called into question. This will naturally be a subject, and I remind you that the attribution to Salt Lake City of the 2034 Olympic Games is conditioned on this subject (respect for AMA authority). »»
Do Los Angeles fires worry you for the 2028 Olympics?
“The facts show us that there is global warming. I have no major concern about Los Angeles’ ability to organize the Olympic Games. This has a consequence on the capacity to ensure (financially) the cancellation of the event. It will also be necessary to draw the conclusions in terms of fire defense, the means put, the ability to react. »»
On the question of the participation of transgender athletes in competitions, one of your competitors, the British Sebastien Coe, pleads for a clarification. What is your position?
“With the very recent decrees that Trump has taken, it will also be a subject. Everyone is welcome in the world of sport, transgender people are welcome. But the participation of transgenderness in competitions in the sex in which they would like to compete is not a fundamental right, insofar as this must not alter or call into question equal opportunities and a fair competition. In athletics, cycling, it can have an influence. Is it just a riding, in a sail, in shooting, affects a fair competition? The IOC says it must be regulated sport by sport, which is not illogical. It will be necessary to deepen, I think that we cannot do without a scientific work that necessarily takes time. »»
-Do you plan to return from Russians to sports competitions?
“Historically, the Russians have always been a sports nation and the role and the very mission of the IOC is to unite people in a more peaceful way by sport. They are intended to naturally take a place in the world of sport. There will be a decision to be made useful on the subject, but a country is not intended to be definitively excluded from the Olympic movement, that is clear. For Milan 2026, I think that you should not hurry to answer this question, in fact. »»
How do you plan the future of winter Olympics?
“The winter games are more victims of warming than the reverse, so we must not reverse the order of things. Culture snow does not necessarily seem to me a bad thing on several conditions, that the overall cycle of water and energy is generally quite neutral for example. The idea is still to favor natural snow, but today cultivation snow exists in ski resorts. As Paris 2024 was respectful of lots of environmental issues, the 2030 games (in the French Alps) must also engage in there. »»
What are your strengths compared to other candidates to direct the IOC?
“I did not prepare myself all my life but my love of the Olympics, it’s 1984, Carl Lewis. I may have a singularity is that I know the two ultimately Olympism pillars, that are international federations and Olympic national committees, like Seb Coe. I think I have also combined youth and experience, because you still have to be connected with the real world (French is 17 years younger than the Briton). »»
Belgium
Related News :