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Feb 11 5 tweets 3 min read
French President Emmanuel Macron refused a Kremlin request that he take a Russian COVID-19 test when he arrived to see President Vladimir Putin this week, to prevent Russia getting hold of Macron's DNA, two sources in Macron's entourage told Reuters reut.rs/3rFYGWZ 1/5
As a result, the visiting French head of state was kept at a distance from the Russian leader during lengthy talks on the Ukraine crisis in Moscow 2/5
Observers were struck by images of Macron and Putin sitting at opposite ends of 4-meter-long table during their talks, with some diplomats and others suggesting Putin might be wanting to send a diplomatic message 3/5
But two sources, who have knowledge of the French president's health protocol, told Reuters Macron had been given a choice: either accept a PCR test done by the Russian authorities and be allowed to get close to Putin, or refuse and abide by more stringent social distancing 4/5
'We knew very well that meant no handshake and that long table. But we could not accept that they get their hands on the president's DNA,' one of the sources said, referring to security concerns if the French leader was tested by Russian doctors reut.rs/3rFYGWZ 5/5

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More from @Reuters

Feb 11
LIVE: Canada's Ontario Premier Ford makes an announcement amid trucker protests twitter.com/i/broadcasts/1…
BREAKING: Canada's Ontario declares state of emergency amid trucker protests that have blocked major border crossings with U.S., affecting trade
Ontario Premier Doug Ford pledges new legal action against protesters, fines and jail time for non-compliance in efforts to end two-week trucker protest Image
Read 5 tweets
Feb 11
Fifteen-year-old Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva failed a test for a banned substance and her future at the #Beijing2022 Olympics will be decided before her next event on Tuesday, the International Testing Agency said reut.rs/3uXeRl9
Kamila Valieva won a team event #figureskating #gold medal having earlier failed a drug test and Olympic officials will fight Russia's decision to let her compete at the #Beijing2022 Winter Games, the International Testing Agency said reut.rs/3LCPcUL
Here are six facts about Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva reut.rs/3gAcJau #Olympics
Read 9 tweets
Feb 9
The Russian figure skaters who won the team event at the Beijing Olympics on Monday have still not received their gold medals, with two Russian newspapers reporting that 15-year-old Olympic star Kamila Valieva had tested positive for a banned drug reut.rs/3HExwW5 1/5 ImageImage
Reuters attempted to reach the Russian Olympic Committee chef de mission for comment but was unable to reach him. The ROC earlier declined to comment on reports of a positive drug test 2/5 Image
Earlier on Wednesday, the IOC said 'legal consultations' had forced the postponement of the medals ceremony, but said it would go ahead eventually. 'A situation arose at short notice that requires legal consultation,' IOC spokesperson Mark Adams said 3/5 Image
Read 10 tweets
Feb 9
🇧🇾 Belarusian cross-country skier Darya Dolidovich has fled the country with her family because of fears of reprisals by authorities after she was barred from competition over the family's political views, she and her father said reut.rs/3syrCjg Image
Darya and her family are now in Poland, where she hopes to continue training, Sergei Dolidovich, a seven-time Olympian cross-country skier who also coaches Darya, told @Reuters in an interview by video call with his daughter Image
'Darya has been stripped of her right to take part in competitions,' Sergei said.

The Dolidovich family's departure comes a few days into the #Beijing2022 Winter #Olympics Image
Read 6 tweets
Feb 8
An elusive Indonesian crocodile, which has swum around with a motorcycle tire stuck around its neck for six years, has finally been freed by an animal lover on the island of Sulawesi reut.rs/3uvIuth 1/5
The roughly four-meter crocodile had generated sympathy among some residents in the city of Palu who feared the tire might eventually choke the reptile as it grew in size 2/5
'I caught the crocodile by myself. I was asking for help from people here but they were scared,' said local resident Tili 3/5
Read 5 tweets
Feb 8
#Olympics
📍The venues for #Beijing2022 have been divided into three zones:
🏂 Zhangjiakou for Biathlon, skiing and snowboarding
⛷ Yanqing for Alpine skiing and sliding events
🥌 Beijing for opening and closing ceremonies, ice sports and big air tmsnrt.rs/3GBo4BI
🏟 National stadium
Also known as ‘The Bird’s Nest’ due to its unique design, this iconic stadium hosted the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2008 Beijing #Olympics, as well as the athletics competition and men's football final of the Summer Games
🔥 The flame
China lit its Olympic flame in Beijing on Oct. 20 after the ceremonial torch arrived from Athens. The Chinese capital is the first city to host both the Summer and Winter #Olympics
Read 5 tweets

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