Dmitry Svishchev, chairman of the State Duma Committee on Physical Culture and Sports, commented on the words of International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach about the responsibility of athletes for the actions of governments and the IOC statement We urge the international sports community to ignore the Friendship Games in Russia. In a conversation with socialbites.ca, Svishchev called Bach’s statements shameful.
“It is surprising to hear such shameful words from a respected sports official who is the president of the entire IOC. He has traveled around Russia several times. The IOC President, members of the IOC Executive Committee and other leaders of the Olympic movement are obliged to support competitions at various levels in various sports. Instead “Did they see a threat to the Olympic movement? Instead of asking questions to Russia, talking to it, they listen to someone – apparently our closest neighbors – and see these competitions as a threat to the international Olympic movement. Have they gone crazy? – Svishchev wondered.
The parliamentarian recalled that Russia has repeatedly stated that the Friendship Games are not an alternative to the Olympics, and the Friendship Games program also includes non-Olympic disciplines. According to Svishchev, either the IOC did not investigate the essence of the competition, or the organization’s statement is a provocation aimed at intimidating athletes and federations into refusing to participate in the competition.
“Bach now has the opportunity to put aside his mortal sin of pride and invite it. [президента Олимпийского комитета России Станислава] Pozdnyakov, invite [министра спорта РФ Олега] Matytsin, sit down at the negotiating table and solve this problem once and for all. This is unlikely to happen – but someone needs to advise him. The IOC is turning into a punitive institution that has nothing to do with the real development of Olympism,” Svishchev said.
Previously Bach statedIf athletes support government actions, they will be subject to sanctions.