Oleg Matytsin, Russia’s sports minister, has asserted that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) continue to apply pressure on independent international and national sports bodies. The remarks were shared by the ministry’s press service and reflect a broader concern about perceived efforts to centralize governance of world sport.
Matytsin contends that the IOC and WADA are attempting to maintain a monopoly over global sports administration, a stance he views as fundamentally inconsistent with the core values of the international sports community. He emphasizes principles such as equal treatment of all members, freedom of choice, the protection of athletes’ interests, and the right to participate in competition, arguing that these elements should guide the governance of sport rather than centralized control.
During a board meeting in Montreal on November 17, WADA chief executive Olivier Niggli stated that Russia should not host the 2024 World Friendship Games, which were planned to take place roughly one month after the Paris Olympic Games. Niggli noted that the proposed events would not align with the standards and unity of world sport. Earlier, the IOC had cautioned athletes against taking part in the Friendship Games, framing participation as contrary to Olympic values and the unity of the Olympic community.
The World Friendship Games are scheduled to be held in Moscow and Yekaterinburg from September 15 to 29, 2024. They are described as the first multi-sport event to feature competitions across 25 Summer Olympic and non-Olympic disciplines in a single program, signaling an ambitious attempt to present an alternative sporting festival on the international stage.
There have also been warnings of sanctions from WADA for athletes who participate in the Friendship Games, underscoring the complex political and regulatory dynamics surrounding international sport in the period leading up to major global competitions.
Analysts note that the interplay between international sports governance bodies and national authorities continues to shape the calendar and decision-making around major events. The ongoing dialogue highlights tensions between efforts to safeguard athlete rights and calls for more transparent, federated approaches to governance that balance universal standards with national contexts and autonomy. The situation remains a focal point for observers monitoring how international sport navigates sanction regimes, event legitimacy, and the evolving framework for anti-doping and ethical competition in a rapidly changing landscape. In this context, stakeholders are urged to advocate for clear rules, consistent enforcement, and inclusive participation that upholds the integrity of sport while respecting diverse national perspectives and athlete interests. Attribution: International sports governance analysis, contemporary reporting on IOC and WADA actions.