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Kylian Mbappe confirmed on Sunday he will not play for France’s Olympic team at the Paris Games as his new club Real Madrid are against the idea just as World number three Aryna Sabalenka says she will not compete at this summer’s Olympic Games in Paris in order to prioritise her health.
The 25-year-old Mbappe said in March that he was keen on playing at his home Games but since the Olympic soccer tournament is not on FIFA’s calendar clubs are not obliged to release their players.
Mbappe was not included in a 25-man preliminary squad for the Olympics earlier this month, though head coach Thierry Henry left the door open.
“My club’s position was very clear, so from that moment on, I think I (knew) I won’t be taking part in the Games,” Mbappe told reporters ahead of Monday’s Group D match against Austria at Euro 2024.
“That’s just the way it is, and I understand that too. I’m joining a new team in September, so it’s not the best way to start an adventure.
“I’m going to wish this French team all the best. I’m going to watch every game. I hope they’ll win the gold medal.”
The men’s Olympic football competition begins on July 24, 10 days after the European Championships final, and ends on Aug. 9.
26-year-old Sabalenka who retained her Australian Open title in January but lost to Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva in the French Open quarter-finals.
That was the first time the Belarusian had lost before the semi-finals of a major since the 2022 French Open.
The tennis competition at the Games takes place on the clay courts at Roland Garros from 27 July to 4 August, with the US Open beginning 22 days later.
The US Open – where Sabalenka was runner-up last year – takes place on hard courts.
“I prefer to have a little rest to make sure physically and health-wise I’m ready for the hard courts,” said Sabalenka.
“Especially with all the struggles I’ve been struggling with the last months, I feel I have to take care of my health.
“It’s too much for the scheduling and I made the decision to take care of my health.”
Athletes from Russia and Belarus who qualify for the Games can only compete as neutrals in Paris, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Russian men’s world number four Daniil Medvedev is among the players who intend to compete at the Olympics as a neutral athlete.
Sabalenka is set to play in Berlin as part of her Wimbledon preparations, having reached the semi-finals last year. Wimbledon takes place from 1-14 July.
