The official representative of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Maria Zakharova, responded to the call of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for governments and athletes to boycott the Friendship Games to be held in Russia. His words lead the way “Sports Express”.
“Rudeness and an indication of the despair to which the IOC has doomed itself by succumbing to Russophobia,” Zakharova said.
In September 2024, the Friendship Games will be held in Moscow and Yekaterinburg. This is the first multi-sport competition to include performances in all 25 Summer Olympic and non-Olympic sports.
On October 12, the IOC announced the suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) until further notice, following the inclusion of the councils in the DPR, LPR, Zaporozhye and Kherson regions into the Russian organization.
At the end of February 2022, the International Olympic Committee issued a call to international sports federations and recommended that Russian and Belarusian athletes not be allowed to participate in any competitions. However, in December, the IOC allowed Russia and Belarus to participate in the 2024 Olympics with neutral status.
To qualify for the Games, Russian athletes will have to sign updated conditions of participation that include a commitment to respect the Olympic Charter, including the “peaceful mission of the Olympic movement”, the IOC said. Russian athletes who rank well in their disciplines will be allowed to compete.
Previously IOC named The Friendship Games are Russia’s cynical attempt to politicize sports.