David Douillet, former French sports minister and two-time Olympic champion in judo, said the prospect of the Tour de France being held again this summer is "madness" and a "crime against humanity." [Douillet, who won gold medals at the Atlanta and Sydney Olympics, served as France's sports minister under former President Nicolas Sarkozy from 2011 to 2012.

"God knows I am a fan of the Tour de France and I have never missed a stage every summer," he said, before attacking Tour promoter ASO's plan to hold the race despite Covid 19 being a global public health crisis.

"I know there is a financial interest, but there are too many risks," the 51-year-old said in an interview with French TV.

"If there is enough means to ensure that all athletes and the public participating in the Tour are tested and that they are all negative, then so be it. No vaccines, no nothing.

Douillet likened the Tour's plans to France's recent municipal elections, which took place just before the blockade was implemented.

"When the local elections were held and I heard voices - even those of my old political family - supporting them, I was outraged. I am not afraid to say that it is a crime against humanity.

"To me, it's on the same level to hold the Tour under these circumstances," Douillet said. It's madness."

The former Olympic champion's comments come amid growing speculation that the Tour might be rescheduled for late July after race director Christian Prudhomme said the Tour "will never be held behind closed doors."

However, it is still too early to determine exactly when the Tour will take place, as death rates from the coronavirus pandemic remain high across Europe, races have been canceled until at least June 1, and France is on high alert.

Currently, the ASO has set May 15 as the deadline for a decision on this year's race dates, although some reports have suggested that the Grande Palais be moved to July 25.

Prudhomme's most recent comments, however, may have served to calm the ire of Douillet, who told Sports-Auvergne.fr, "It all depends on what happens with the pandemic."

"My only hope is that the Tour de France takes place this summer. Not because of the Tour de France, but because if it doesn't take place, it will be catastrophic for this country."