Lacoste, a premium partner of the Roland-Garros tournament, continues to do business in Russia despite previous statements claiming it had ceased shipments to the country since the invasion of Ukraine. Stand With Ukraine, alongside the Ukraine Solidarity Project, strongly condemns Lacoste’s actions, tarnishing the reputation of Roland-Garros and France.
Since the start of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, Lacoste is alleged to have exported tens of millions of dollars worth of products to Russia through its Turkish manufacturing and distribution partner, circumventing its declared commitments to halt shipments to Russia. This action is perceived as a sign of disrespect towards French customers, tennis enthusiasts, and, most importantly, Ukrainians risking their lives to liberate their country from the Russian invader.
To raise public awareness, Stand With Ukraine and the Ukraine Solidarity Project organized a demonstration at Roland-Garros on June 1, 2023. Parody advertisements were displayed, depicting Vladimir Putin in Lacoste tennis attire, holding a grenade instead of a tennis ball. These advertisements attracted attention both inside Roland-Garros and in front of Lacoste’s flagship store on the Champs-Élysées.
As a premium partner of Roland-Garros, Lacoste has a significant presence at the tournament, notably through the uniforms of the players it sponsors and in the tournament’s official store.
Stand With Ukraine calls on Lacoste to end all business relations with Russia and uphold the values of ethics and solidarity. In a context where the war in Ukraine persists, it is crucial for companies to act responsibly and align their practices with moral principles.
Additionally, Stand With Ukraine urges sports organizations to take strong measures by excluding Russian and Belarusian players from major sporting events, including Roland-Garros. Even under a neutral flag, these athletes remain associated with a country whose actions contradict the principles of sporting ethics. At Melbourne, supporters displayed Russian colors in the stands, and a similar situation is feared in Paris during next year’s Olympic Games. Putin could use each medal won to glorify Russia, transforming sport into a tool of political soft power, while the vast majority of Russian athletes have remained ambiguous about the war, refusing to firmly condemn the invasion.
