Maria Zakharova, the official representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation (MFA), commented on the statement of the Minister of Sports of Poland Kamil Bortnichuk on the formation of a coalition against the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes in the 2024 Olympics. Games.
“Bach’s idea of the possibility of accepting the Russians because of circumstances that were clearly unacceptable for our country seemed too lenient for individual countries. It was severely criticized, for example, by the Polish Minister of Sports, Kamil Bortnichuk.
Just say it as it is. You’re just afraid of competition. You do not know how to resist Russian athletes, ”quotes Zakharova. DEA News.
Bortnichuk has previously mentioned his intention to form a coalition with Britain against the participation of Russians and Belarusians in the 2024 Olympic Games to be held in Paris. According to him, the Games are planned to include countries in which it will be impossible to join the coalition.
On January 25, 2023, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced that it was considering the possibility of allowing Russian athletes who did not support the conduct of a special operation on Russian soil to participate in international competitions with a neutral status. Ukraine
Former World Boxing Council (WBC), International Boxing Federation (IBF) and World Boxing Organization (WBO) world light heavyweight champion, Russian Artur Beterbiev discretion The possibility of a duel with his compatriot, WBA Super (World Boxing Association) champion belt holder Dmitry Bivol.