Maria Zakharova, the official representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, shared the opinion of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on the criteria for the admission of Russian athletes to international competitions.
“This is unfortunately an element of the general policy to destroy world sport. I noticed that many Western countries demanding the complete expulsion of Russian athletes were not even satisfied with this statement by the IOC.
You understand what ideology of destruction is at the center of anti-Russian politics. What began as unfair competition, now falls into the category of insane anti-Russianism in attempts to cancel Russia, ”Zakharova said in an interview. “Sport Express”.
Recall that at the end of February 2022, the International Olympic Committee made an appeal to international sports federations and advised not to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to participate in any competitions.
At a meeting of the IOC executive committee on March 28, it was recommended that the Russians be allowed a neutral status if the athletes did not actively support the hostilities. Athletes representing law enforcement and armed forces will not be allowed to compete.
Former Honored Coach of the USSR Tatyana Tarasova statedwithout the participation of Russians suspended from international competitions, the level of the world team championship in figure skating dropped significantly.