Russian president Vladimir Putin has directed that the prize money for winners of the World Friendship Games should mirror the payments awarded to Olympic champions. This directive was explained by Russia’s vice president Igor Levitin in an interview on Match TV, underscoring the government’s intent to align the recognition and financial rewards with those tied to the Olympic standard.
Levitin stated that the president ordered a formal equivalence: Friendship Games medalists would be treated as Olympic medalists and would receive the same financial prizes. He reminded listeners that during times when participation in the official Olympic Games was restricted, the Soviet Union organized the Friendship Games as a parallel competition. He added that the current stance reflects a return to normal arrangements and is not a departure from established policy. The message extended beyond Russian athletes, with Levitin noting that foreign competitors who earn awards would also be compensated as Olympic medalists, in line with the same criteria used for Olympic victories.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) issued a notable directive at the end of February 2022, urging international sports federations to exclude Russian and Belarusian athletes from participating in competitive events. This guidance set a broad exclusionary framework that influenced many international schedules and athlete eligibility decisions in the subsequent period.
In a related development, the IOC chose not to extend an invitation to the Paris Olympic Games announced for July 26, 2023, a decision that effectively kept Russia outside the Paris roster at that time. The absence of a formal invitation reflected ongoing geopolitical considerations and the IOC’s positioning on Russia’s participation in upcoming events.
Looking ahead to the 2024 Olympics, a decision regarding Russian participation was put on hold indefinitely. During an IOC press briefing, President Thomas Bach indicated that the final determination would be communicated not later than one year ahead of the Games, signaling a cautious approach that balances political developments with sports governance and safety concerns for events abroad.
Previously, Dmitry Chernyshenko, who had served as Deputy Prime Minister, criticized the IOC’s terms for returning Russian athletes to compete on the world stage. Chernyshenko’s comments highlighted ongoing tensions between national sports authorities and the international governing body, revealing the emotional and political stakes involved whenever participation and eligibility rules are debated on the global stage. The exchange illustrated how national leadership seeks to chart a path that preserves national pride while navigating the international sports landscape, especially in light of sanctions, eligibility debates, and the evolving rules that govern competition across borders. The broader context emphasizes how policy decisions in sports can become intertwined with international relations, affecting athletes, federations, and fans alike and prompting continued discussions about fairness, accountability, and the path forward for athletes from Russia and allied nations.