French President Will Not Attend Sochi Olympics

Radio Free Europe, December 15, 2103

French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius

'Putin's Games' Sheds Light On Corruption, Abuse In Sochi

France's foreign minister says neither President Francois Hollande, nor himself, nor any other top French official will attend the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.

Laurent Fabius offered no explanation for the move.

Fabius told France's Europe 1 radio on December 15 that "Top French officials have no plans to be there. "

The decision to hold the Winter Olympics in Russia has been criticised in France and elsewhere due to concerns about human rights abuses and a recent law that bans "gay propaganda" which critics say discriminates against homosexuals.

German President Joachim Gauck's office announced last week that he would not be attending the Games.

Related Article:

President Gauck's decision not to go to Sochi widely seen as a boycott