Svetlana Ishmuratova critiques the IOC and the future of global sport governance
In a candid conversation with Match TV, Olympic biathlon champion Svetlana Ishmuratova spoke about the current role of the International Olympic Committee and its ability to unify athletes and nations under a single umbrella. She suggested that the IOC, as it stands, has begun to lose its central coordinating function and questioned whether it can be sustained in its present form. The veteran athlete argued that the organization’s influence could be waning and that a shift in structure might be necessary to keep sport cohesive on the world stage.
According to Ishmuratova, there is a growing demand for countries to safeguard and promote sports development through national channels. She stated that it is essential to organize independent competitions and to cultivate sports culture within one’s own country. She proposed exploring the creation of new, alternative platforms for competition, including the BRICS Games and Friendship Games, as a means to bolster regional cooperation and athletic opportunity. She emphasized that relying on external messages or directions from established international bodies may not be productive in the long run, and that national organizers should take the lead where appropriate.
Recently, changes in Olympic eligibility rules granted Russian athletes neutral status for participation in the 2024 Olympic Games. This development marked a significant shift in the status of athletes from Russia amid ongoing geopolitical and sporting debates. Initially, reports indicated that eight Russian and three Belarusian athletes would receive quotas for the Games. However, officials later revised these numbers. The IOC stated that six Russian and five Belarusian athletes had earned quotas, reflecting ongoing deliberations about eligibility, neutrality, and the interpretation of international sporting standards.
The broader conversation around these changes touches on how national teams navigate the balance between national pride, geopolitical tensions, and the universal values of sport. Recent questions about the treatment of athletes, the criteria for neutrality, and the mechanisms by which quotas are allocated continue to be debated among fans, practitioners, and policymakers alike. In this evolving landscape, observers note that transparency in the quota process and clear guidelines for participation help maintain trust in Olympic competition while allowing athletes to compete at the highest levels under neutral banners when required.
Earlier, Dmitry Guberniev had shown interest in a more lenient approach toward Russian athletes within Olympic committees, signaling a broader discussion about how sporting bodies respond to geopolitical realities. The evolving policy environment highlights the ongoing tension between upholding international sport’s inclusive ideals and addressing the complex political context in which athletes train and compete. Markers of change include ongoing assessments of eligibility rules, the potential for regional games to complement the Olympic program, and continued dialogue about how to organize sport effectively in a changing world. The dialogue continues as nations seek ways to preserve competitive fairness while fostering growth and opportunity for athletes across the globe.