The Organizing Committee of the Friendship Games said that confrontation with the IOC is not the goal of the tournament
The Organizing Committee of the 2024 Friendship Games has appealed to the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The statement is reported by RIA Novosti.
The organizing committee noted that the purpose of the tournament is not confrontation with the IOC or the creation of competitions in opposition to the Olympic movement. “The World Friendship Games are conceived as a harmonious addition to the already existing international competition calendar. For Russian athletes who were excluded from major international competitions, the World Friendship Games are intended to become the most important sporting event in recent years,” the message emphasizes.
Earlier on November 15, the IOC recommended that National Olympic Committees (NOCs) ignore the Friendship Games in Russia. “Given the increasing politicization of global sport, we ask all NOCs to exercise caution in relation to this initiative,” said NOC Relations Director James McLeod. He added that participation in these competitions contradicts the sanctions imposed on Russian sports in February 2022.
On October 19, Russian President Vladimir Putin decided to hold the Friendship Games in Russia. It was noted that the decision was made in order to ensure guaranteed free access of domestic athletes and sports organizations to international sports activities. The tournament is expected to be held in Moscow and Yekaterinburg from September 15 to 29, 2024.
Source: Lenta
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