MOSCOW — Russian President Vladimir Putin questioned the International Olympic Committee guidelines mandating Russian athletes compete on the Paris Olympics as neutrals.
Putin additionally indicated on Thursday that Russia has but to take a remaining determination on whether or not its opponents will participate subsequent yr.
The IOC rejected a blanket ban final week when it confirmed Russians will likely be allowed to compete below the title of Individual Neutral Athletes.
The IOC desires no nationwide symbols such because the flag or anthem, no staff sports activities, and to exclude athletes who’re contracted to the Russian army or safety companies, or who’ve publicly supported Russia‘s military campaign in Ukraine.
Similar measures apply for Russia‘s ally Belarus, which Moscow used as a staging ground for troops and equipment before sending its army into Ukraine.
“I’ve at all times mentioned that athletes practice for years and that they must be given the chance to compete on the largest competitions, together with the Olympic Games,” Putin mentioned. “Everyone knows, whether it’s our flag or not, everyone knows it’s our athlete. It’s an obvious thing. And therefore in principle I supported our athletes going to such competitions, but now it needs to be carefully analyzed, what kind of conditions the IOC is setting out.”
He expressed concern that “politically motivated artificial conditions” could possibly be used to exclude high Russian opponents.
“If the aim of this is to cut out our leaders and show that Russian sport is not developing or on the contrary is withering away, then it is necessary for the Sports Ministry and the National Olympic Committee of Russia to analyze and to take a balanced decision,” Putin mentioned.
Russian athletes beforehand competed with out nationwide symbols on the Winter Olympics in 2018 and 2022, and on the final Summer Olympics in Tokyo in 2021. On these events, the measures had been a part of the fallout from years of disputes over doping.
