Sports Minister Matytsin stood up for Russians who want to compete at the Olympics
Russian Sports Minister Oleg Matytsin stood up for the country’s representatives who want to compete at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. His words are quoted by TASS.
In his opinion, the athletes participating in the selection for the Games are the property of the country, and they must be treated with respect. “When deciding to participate in these competitions, I think it is impossible to include political tension both in the discussion and in decision-making on the part of athletes and coaches,” Matytsin added.
On February 25, Igor Levitin, assistant to Russian President Vladimir Putin, said that the head of state instructed the Ministry of Sports and the Olympic Committee (OCR) to formulate proposals for the participation of Russian athletes in the 2024 Olympics in Paris. “It is necessary to decide for each federation on what conditions they will participate in the Olympic Games and what declarations will be required for them to participate in the Olympics,” Levitin said.
In December 2023, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) decided to admit 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, or who have connections with the armed forces or security agencies of Russia and Belarus will not be allowed to participate in the 2024 Games. In addition, representatives of team sports will miss the tournament.
Source: Lenta
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