MHRMI Calls On Macedonian Athletes To Refuse To Walk Behind Letter ‘F’ At Rio Olympics
By Macedonian Human Rights Movement International
The IOC will follow the UN and USA’s directives and continue to violate the most basic of Macedonia’s rights, “and that is the right to use our own name,” according to the Macedonian Human Rights Movement International (MHRMI).
“Yet again, Macedonian athletes will be forced to walk in behind the letter “F” for “Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia” at the Rio Olympics opening ceremonies. Macedonia, itself, gives in to American scare-tactics and refuses to stand up for its own name,” MHRMI said in a press statement.
According to MHRMI, it’s up to Macedonian athletes to, “Join the list of athletes who have taken a stand for common decency and human rights, and refuse to walk in behind the letter ‘F’.”
MHRMI said in its statement to the athletes, “You’ve worked so hard to make it to this stage to represent your country, not a made-up one called “FYROM”. Walk in behind the letter M and tell the world that our name is, and has always been, Macedonia.”