Deputy Zhurova: The IOC admitted fewer Russians to the Olympic Games than were selected according to the criteria
The conditions of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for the participation of Russians in the Olympic Games (OG) 2024 change periodically. At one stage, a point was voiced according to which the athlete should not receive funding from Russia, noted the First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on International Affairs, Olympic champion in speed skating Svetlana Zhurova in an interview with Lenta.ru.
According to the deputy, the IOC announced a smaller number of Russian athletes admitted to the Olympics than passed according to the selection criteria.
“I am absolutely convinced that this is due to the fact that at one of the stages of the decision-making such a point was voiced – the lack of funding from the Russian Federation,” Zhurova said.
At the same time, the Olympic champion noted that all Russian athletes, except tennis players, are funded by the state.
“Everyone understands this perfectly. Therefore, if the IOC approves this, then they have already decided everything for themselves. And here you don’t even need to disturb the athletes once again and ask whether they want to go or not. This question is becoming rhetorical,” she added.
Zhurova also stated that Russia needs to create its own competition formats.
For example, the World Friendship Games in our country will be equal in status to the Olympic Games
Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin praised the IOC’s decision 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. Athletes 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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