"Cynical attempt"

Games in Russia? Sharp criticism from the IOC

The International Olympic Committee has taken a clear stance against the World Friendly Games planned by Russia and called on its member federations not to take part in such an event. "It is a cynical attempt by the Russian Federation to politicize sport. The IOC Athletes' Commission, which represents all Olympic athletes in the world, clearly rejects the use of athletes for political propaganda," the IOC announced on Tuesday.

It is a blatant violation of the Olympic Charter, a violation of the respective UN resolutions and a disregard for the athletes and the integrity of sporting competitions, the IOC continued.

Russia is apparently planning World Friendship Games for the summer in Moscow and Yekaterinburg this September and for the winter of 2026 in Sochi. A promotional film in Russia talks about a new world sporting event for people from all "corners of the planet" and "significant prize money". It is supposed to be the answer to the international sanctions on sport. At the Olympic Games in Paris, athletes from Russia and Belarus are not allowed to compete under their own flags, their anthems are not played and national symbols are banned from the competitions. Teams are not allowed to compete at all.

According to the IOC, the counter-event is purely politically motivated. Russia is deliberately bypassing the sports organizations in its target countries. "This is a blatant violation of the Olympic Charter and at the same time a violation of the various UN resolutions." Russia is also showing "complete disrespect for global anti-doping standards and the integrity of competitions", the IOC added, recalling the doping scandal at the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi. "The IOC urges all stakeholders in the Olympic Movement and all governments to reject any involvement in and support for initiatives aimed at completely politicizing international sport."