Stanislav Pozdnyakov, who leads the Russian Olympic Committee, stated that the International Olympic Committee has not set a requirement for athletes to condemn actions in Ukraine as a condition for Olympic participation. This report is conveyed by TASS.
According to Pozdnyakov, Russian athletes are not being asked to denounce the military operation in Ukraine as part of current criteria. He emphasized that such an expectation is not reflected in the rules or criteria that are under discussion, and it does not amount to a direct call to endorse or reject the so-called special military operation.
Pozdnyakov noted that international sport bodies are in talks with the IOC to outline core terms and principles that will guide any future decision, with the IOC planning to publish these once they are formed. He added that politically loaded considerations are not appropriate for the international Olympic movement at this moment.
Earlier in the year, the IOC announced it was examining a pathway for Russian athletes who do not support the Ukrainian operation to take part in global events under a neutral status, a stance that would allow participation without flag or anthem associations.
In late February 2022, the IOC urged international federations not to admit Russian and Belarusian athletes to competitions, and several events involving foreign competitors were shifted out of Russia as a consequence of the evolving situation.
Earlier comments from Pozdnyakov urged Ukraine to reconsider its approach to the Paris Olympic Games and avoid boycotts, underscoring a focus on ensuring all athletes have a chance to compete while political tensions remain unresolved.