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Russian President Vladimir Putin called “fundamentally wrong” attempts by individual countries to politicize sports issues. He stated this in his article for the Xinhua News Agency, written on the eve of his visit to China on February 4.
As the Russian leader stressed, the 24th Winter Olympic Games starting in Beijing are “a major event of world significance.”
“Recently, attempts by a number of countries to politicize sports issues in order to please their ambitions have intensified. This is fundamentally wrong and contrary to the very spirit and principles of the Olympic Charter. The strength and greatness of sport lies in the fact that it unites people, gives moments of triumph and pride in one’s country, delights with an honest, fair, uncompromising struggle. And such approaches are shared by the majority of states participating in the international Olympic movement,” the President stressed.
Earlier today, the head of the IOC, Thomas Bach, said that the International Olympic Committee, in preparation for the Games in Beijing, managed to convey the unifying mission of the competition to everyone.
Prior to that, on December 6, 2021, the United States announced a diplomatic boycott of the Beijing Olympics, which involves refusing to travel to China for officials. The reason was the mass repression attributed to the PRC in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Washington notified its allies about the plans, Australia, Great Britain and Canada officially supported the US initiative, TASS notes.
“Games should be above political controversy, they should remain politically neutral and not be the goal of achieving political goals. Our goal is to ensure that all athletes can unite in these peaceful competitions,” Bach said.
Meanwhile, the Beijing authorities announced a surge in coronavirus infections on the eve of the Olympics. And earlier, due to restrictions related to the pandemic, China asked to reduce Putin’s “Olympic” delegation to Beijing from 20-25 to six people.
We add that the opening of the 2022 Olympics will take place on February 4 at the National Stadium in Beijing. In total, 109 sets of awards in seven sports will be played.
Source: Rosbalt
Tristin is an accomplished author and journalist, known for his in-depth and engaging writing on sports. He currently works as a writer at 247 News Agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the sports industry.
