Back to the rumor of a cancellation of the Olympic Games due to the political context in France

The possibility of the competition being cancelled was mentioned in a column in “Le Point” on Wednesday, before being relayed by the “Journal du Dimanche”. The International Olympic Committee denied this “false information” and called “not to relay it”.

A new rumor about the Olympic Games (OG) has set the internet ablaze, just a few weeks before the competition takes place. “It’s official, the Olympic Games will be cancelled. The IOC president [Comité international olympique] Thomas Bach has given himself until July 14 to cancel or postpone the event depending on the security situation in France after the legislative elections from hell.notably affirmed on Wednesday July 3 on X Zoé Sagan, a pseudonym behind which hides an account known for relaying false news. Franceinfo returns to the spread of this rumor, quickly denied by the organizers of the competition.

It all starts with an editorial in the weekly Pointwritten by lawyer and essayist Nicolas Baverez for the issue appearing on Thursday, but available online Wednesday evening. In this text, titled “Paris 2024: Games banned?”he mentions the supposed reaction of Thomas Bach, president of the IOC, to the announcement of the dissolution of the National Assembly. “He was stunned by the dissolution then terrified by Emmanuel Macron’s statements predicting civil war in the event of his opponents’ victory. He gave himself until mid-July to confirm, cancel, or postpone the Paris Games.”the editorialist says.

In detail, Nicolas Baverez cites “security and transportation”as reasons that may “constrain the IOC” to postpone or cancel the Olympic Games. He describes in particular “very high risk bets” the holding of the tests in Seine-Saint-Denis, a department “marked by (…) the regular explosion of devastating urban violence”he says. The columnist is also concerned about the risk of “insurrectional violence of the extreme left” in the event of a RN victory in the legislative elections.

However, on June 10, the day after the announcement of the dissolution of the Assembly, the IOC director expressed his confidence in the organization of the competition shortly after the legislative elections. The columnist does not specify whether he spoke directly with a Paris 2024 official, or whether he is relaying a rumor. Contacted by franceinfo, Nicolas Baverez did not wish to answer us.

On Wednesday evening, the allegations of the Point were taken over by the Sunday newspapercontributing to the virality of the rumor. Contacted by France Télévisions, the organizers of the Olympic Games firmly denied the information from Point. “Paris 2024 has become aware of the circulation of false information regarding the cancellation of the Paris Games. Paris 2024 is currently investigating the origin of this false information and calls for it not to be relayed.”they assure.

For its part, the IOC spoke on X on Wednesday evening “an ongoing disinformation campaign against France, the IOC and its president, as well as the Olympic Games”Who “has no factual basis”The committee also said “waiting with great experience” the Olympic Games in Paris.

The Minister of Sports, Amélie Oudéa-Castéra, also reacted on X, denouncing “indecent fake news”. “Our Games will be held in Paris, on the scheduled dates. We have been preparing for them for years; they will bring happiness to the whole world and pride to our country.”she assured. For his part, the Minister of the Interior, Gérald Darmanin, also assured that it was a question of“fake news” near The voice of the North.