Former world boxing champion Nikolai Valuev, a member of the State Duma of the Russian Federation, spoke out after Vitold Banka, head of the World Anti-Doping Agency, signaled penalties for athletes aiming to take part in the Friendship Games. The remarks were quoted by Sports Express. Valuev did not hold back in his assessment of the situation.
Valuev framed the issue by drawing a direct comparison between the World Anti-Doping Agency and the International Olympic Committee. He stated that WADA and the IOC share common positions and noted that such alignment did not come as a surprise to him. The warning from WADA was seen as part of a broader pattern in how international sports bodies coordinate their sanctions and eligibility rules for athletes who pursue the Friendship Games. This event is positioned as a parallel competition aimed at showcasing a broad spectrum of sports across both Olympic and non-Olympic disciplines.
The authorities behind the Friendship Games have warned that athletes choosing to participate could face sanctions from the world sports community. The announcement underscored the potential consequences for athletes who decide to compete in these events, including possible bans or restrictions in other competitions. The warning was reported in connection with the forthcoming multi-sport event, which is set to bring together competitors from multiple nations and sports disciplines under one umbrella event.
The World Friendship Games are scheduled to take place in Moscow and Yekaterinburg from 15 to 29 September 2024. This marks the first major multi-sport gathering to feature performances across twenty five summer Olympic and non-Olympic sports in a single program. The event aims to offer athletes a platform to demonstrate high competition levels while broadening the reach of international sport beyond the traditional Olympic calendar.
In late February, the International Olympic Committee appealed to international sports federations with a request that domestic athletes and Belarusian competitors be discouraged from taking part in any qualifying or competitive events. The move followed a broader trend of relocating or rescheduling competitions to minimize participation by foreign athletes in Russia. The steps taken by the IOC reflect ongoing debates over eligibility, geopolitics, and the impact on global sport integrity in the current climate.
Valuev, a former Olympic champion and a prominent public figure in Russian sports circles, did not hide his belief that the current situation is not a straightforward path to Paris 2024. His comments suggest that the actions surrounding the Friendship Games are part of a wider strategic conversation about how athletes prepare for and participate in major international competitions in the current environment. The discussion touches on the balance between opportunity for athletes and the responsibilities of national sports authorities in the face of international guidelines and sanctions.