Olympic champion, President of the All-Russian Physical Sports Federation Nikita Nagorny shared his thoughts on how exclusion from international competitions benefits Russian sport. His words guide the way “Sports Express”.
“We have already adapted. <…>. It is immediately clear where and in which sport there are problems. It is important to gain strength and fix all these difficulties. For example, China lived without the Olympics for a while. But then they got together, they showed up and they started winning. “Tough times create strong people,” Nagorny said.
On February 28, 2022, the IOC appealed to international sports federations, recommending that Russian and Belarusian athletes not be allowed to participate in any competitions due to the situation in Ukraine. Since then they have only participated in local tournaments.
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. In December 2023, the IOC decided to allow Russian athletes to participate in the 2024 Olympic Games in neutral status, subject to a number of conditions. Athletes will not be allowed to participate in any team competitions.
IOC’s previous conditions for Russia’s admission to the Games in the name against the law.