Olympic Committee denounces racist graffiti outside Sport Institute in Paris

The French Olympic Committee (CNOSF) has denounced racist graffiti that was found on Black athletes’ posters in front of the National Institute of Sport (INSEP) during the weekend.

The graffiti, not coincidentally, was painted on the outskirts of Paris, which is the host city for the 2024 Summer Olympic Games.

In response, the CNOSF declared it was filing a complaint to the police against the unknown perpetrators. One of the athletes painted on the graffiti is the double Olympic judo champion, Teddy Riner.

France is the host country of 2020 Olympics. image credit Reuters Image

“The CNOSF firmly denounces the racist degradation of the portraits of the champions of the French team displayed at INSEP Paris,” the CNOSF announced in a statement released yesterday.

“These champions represent France, in all its diversity. They embody the values of respect, tolerance and unity that are at the heart of the Olympic project that we all have at heart to promote and defend,” CNOSF president Denis Masseglia announced to the governing body’s general assembly.

French judoka Teddy Riner (R), named France's flag-bearer for Rio 2016 Olympics, takes part in a training session at the French National Institute of Sport and Physical Education (INSEP) in Paris, France. Image credit Reuters, Benoit Tessier, File Photo

“I would only add one more thing: those who insult our champions insult France. I, therefore, want, on behalf of all of us, to express the full support and solidarity of the French Sports Movement and the Olympic family with our athletes and teams in France. Racism has no place anywhere, and even less so in sport.”

French sports minister Roxana Maracineanu described the graffiti as “despicable”.

“The fight against racism must continue,” she claimed.