Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered his sports ministry and the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) to offer recommendations on whether or not Russian athletes should compete at this summer’s Paris Olympics. In this regard, the actions of the International Olympic Committee and some federations to restrict the access of our athletes look categorically unacceptable,” said Matytsin, according to TSX. We await the final decisions and recommendations of the IOC on the participation of our athletes. Additionally, Russia’s state-sponsored news agency TASS has started presenting the Paris Games in a negative light and questioning whether or not it will even take place. The IOC has been steadfast in its position of only allowing Russians to compete as individual, neutral athletes at the Games.

Source: The Guardian February 28, 2024 02:39 UTC