Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev responded to recent statements by the head of the International Olympic Committee, Thomas Bach, about the relationship between sports and politics.
Bach, in particular, emphasized that “sport cannot be outside politics, but must be politically neutral.”
“According to IOC President Bach, if sport chooses to be the arbiter in every conflict, it will be the end of international sport. That is why it must be politically neutral.
However, before this, he recommended that international federations not allow Russian athletes to participate in international competitions for an obvious political reason, namely the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
What a wise, sincere and consistent person! This great friend of international sports showed himself to be a true heir to Karl Diem, the organizer of the 1936 Berlin Olympics. Our athletes will never forget this.
P.S. I wonder what he’s going to do with Israeli athletes?” — the ex-president of Russia wrote in English on social networks.
Let us remind you that the Olympic Games will be held in Paris in the summer of 2024, the participation of Russians and Belarusians in them remains in question.
In turn, the senior coach of the Russian artistic gymnastics team, Valentina Rodionenko, commented on the criteria for the admission of athletes from Russia and Belarus to international competitions published by the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG).
“We do not agree with any of the admission criteria that FIG has developed. Until the international federation makes changes to its document, we will not send athletes to the competitions. This is the decision of the national team’s coaching staff,” TASS quotes Rodionenko.
According to a document published by the press service of the International Gymnastics Federation, athletes from Russia and Belarus should not display state symbols. Athletes are only allowed to compete in individual competitions, subject to submitting an application for neutral status within the prescribed period.
bbabo.Net