Olympic champion and president of the All-Russian Physical Sports Federation, Nikita Nagorny, shares a clear view: exclusion from international events can spur Russian sport to grow stronger. His remarks appear in the current issue of Sports Express.
“We have already adjusted. It becomes obvious where and in which disciplines challenges exist. The goal is to build resilience and address every hurdle. Take China as an example: they endured a break from the Olympics, united, and then returned with success. Tough times forge resilient people,” Nagorny stated.
On February 28, 2022, the International Olympic Committee urged international sports federations to bar Russian and Belarusian athletes from competing due to the situation in Ukraine. Since that moment, these athletes have participated only in domestic events.
During the IOC Executive Board meeting on March 28, 2023, it was proposed that Russians could compete under a neutral flag if they were not actively supporting military actions. In December 2023, the IOC announced that Russian athletes could take part in the 2024 Olympic Games in neutral status, provided they met several conditions. Athletes would be restricted from participating in team events.
The IOC’s earlier conditions for Russia’s entry to the Games under a neutral banner addressed legal and ethical considerations surrounding participation.
Notes: The positions outlined reflect ongoing discussions about how international sport adapts to geopolitical events and how governing bodies balance competition with principles of neutrality and safety. These developments are tracked by official IOC communications and summarized by international sports coverage in subsequent reports.