Maria Zakharova called the IOC’s call to abandon the Friendship Games in Russia rudeness
The official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova, appreciated the call of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to abandon the Friendship Games. She is quoted by RIA Novosti.
“Rudeness and an indicator of the hopelessness to which the IOC doomed itself by succumbing to Russophobia,” Zakharova said.
Earlier on March 19, the IOC called the Friendship Games a politicized event of the Russian government. “The IOC urges all participants in the Olympic movement and all governments to refuse to participate in or support any initiatives aimed at the complete politicization of international sport,” the organization noted.
The Friendship Games will be held in September 2024 in Moscow and Yekaterinburg. The tournament will include competitions in 33 summer Olympic and non-Olympic sports.
In December, the IOC allowed Russians and Belarusians to participate in the Paris Olympics 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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