Evgeny Lovchev, the best football player of the USSR in 1972, described his attitude towards Russian athletes who are ready to compete in international competitions in a neutral status, as required by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and international federations. His words guide the way Sports24.
“If they do not betray the country, I will treat them like Russian men. I will not condemn such athletes, but I will not call them patriots. I prefer the position that we will not go anywhere without them [российского] flag and anthem! I respect this position,” Lovchev said.
On December 8, the International Olympic Committee allowed athletes from Russia to participate in the 2024 Olympic Games with neutral status. Acting Minister of Youth and Sports of Ukraine Matvey Bedny condemned the decision of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to admit Russian athletes to the Olympics. He also stated that the decision on Ukraine’s participation in the competition will be made later.
It was initially reported that eight Russians and three Belarusians received licenses for the Games, but on December 13 the IOC press service corrected this data. Now the organization’s website says that six Russian and five Belarusian athletes have won quotas for the Olympics. In the same message, the IOC emphasized that “no flags, anthems or any symbols of Russia or Belarus will be flown at the Olympic Games” and “no government officials from Russia or Belarus will be invited to the Games.”
Previously Roman Kostomarov I found it difficult Answer the question about the conversation in a neutral situation.