Zhurova: the IOC has reached the point of absurdity and wants to erase all associations with Russia at the Games
First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on International Affairs, Olympic champion in speed skating Svetlana Zhurova assessed the bans for Russians at the 2024 Olympic Games. Her words are quoted by TASS.
According to Zhurova, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has reached the point of absurdity and wants everyone to get used to the absence of Russians. “Russian symbols will be banned everywhere, and getting sick will also be prohibited. They want to remove and erase any associations with Russia at the Olympics, they want us to refuse to go there,” she said.
Zhurova noted that the organizers cannot prohibit athletes from performing, since this is a violation of the charter, but they create unbearable conditions. “If a journalist takes out a flag or something similar to the flag of the country, they can deprive him of his visa, deport him, or whatever he wants,” the deputy concluded.
Earlier it became known that the IOC banned Russian journalists from using the country’s symbols at the 2024 Olympic Games. Reporters will be required to follow the same rules that were put forward for neutral athletes.
The Olympic Games in Paris will be held from July 26 to August 11. Russians and Belarusians, if a number of conditions are met, will be able to compete in the individual competitions of the tournament in a neutral status.
Source: Lenta
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