Head of the ROC Pozdnyakov: neutral status makes the athlete a hostage to interests
The head of the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) Stanislav Pozdnyakov criticized the conditions for the admission of domestic athletes to the 2024 Games. His words are quoted by RIA Novosti.
“We live in a free state, where everyone has the right to make their own choice,” the president said. But by choosing neutralization, the athlete becomes a hostage to other people’s interests,” he said. Pozdnyakov noted that the ROC is ready to help every athlete understand the situation, as this is related to the signing of declarations of a political nature and the renunciation of the national flag.
Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin praised the decision of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to admit Russians to the 2024 Games. “If these are politically motivated artificial conditions aimed at cutting off our leaders, medal contenders, then the Ministry of Sports and the ROC must make an informed decision,” he emphasized.
On December 8, the IOC announced the admission of Russians and Belarusians to the Olympics in Paris. They will be able to take part in the tournament as individual neutral athletes. At the same time, athletes who support a special operation in Ukraine and have connections with the armed forces or security agencies of Russia and Belarus will not get to Paris. Representatives of team sports will also miss the tournament.
Source: Lenta
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