Alexander Zhukov says the absence of world leaders in U.S. wo n't diminish the Games . ` ` The point is the competition itself , '' according to the French Olympic chief . Russia President Francois Hollande and French President Alexander Zhukov will be no shows . ` The point is the competition and not that 20 or 30 leaders come to the opening ceremony , '' Zhukov , Russia 's former deputy prime minister , was quoted as saying by Russian news agency RIA Novosti on Tuesday . Russia 's anti-gay propaganda law `` offended '' Obama , he said in August .
Alexander Zhukov says the absence of world leaders in U.S. wo n't diminish the Games . `` The point is the competition itself , '' according to the French Olympic chief . Russia President Francois Hollande and French President Alexander Zhukov will be no shows . Russia 's anti-gay propaganda law `` offended '' Obama , he said in August .