Russian President Vladimir Putin has supported the idea of resuming sports parades in Red Square and declaring 2024 the year of sports.
Umar Kremlev, president of the International Boxing Association (IBA), made a corresponding initiative at the “Russia is a Sports Power” forum in Perm. The President called this proposal a good idea.
The Friendship Games will be held in Moscow and Yekaterinburg from 15 to 29 September 2024.
At the end of February 2022, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) appealed to international sports federations, recommending that domestic and Belarusian athletes should not be allowed to participate in any competitions due to the political situation.
At the meeting of the IOC Executive Committee on March 28, 2023, it was proposed to allow the Russians to remain in neutral status if the athletes are not actively involved in supporting military operations. Athletes representing law enforcement agencies and armed forces will not be allowed to compete.
Putin before instructed 70 percent of Russians are interested in sports.