MOSCOW, Oct 4, Oleg Bogatov. Statement by the President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) ) Thomas Bach that Russian athletes will be able to compete in international competitions in a neutral status if they distance themselves from a special operation in Ukraine is a provocation and blackmail, said First Vice Speaker of the State Duma Alexander Zhukov. Previously, the head of the IOC, Bach, in an interview with the Italian edition of Corriere della Sera said that Russian athletes who do not support the special operation in Ukraine should be allowed to participate in international competitions in a neutral status. «In my opinion, this is, of course, a provocative statement. Once again, sports and politics are mixed. in no case should you give in. I hope that none of our athletes will take such a step.At least, everyone I asked unequivocally stated that this would not be the case t,” Zhukov said. At the end of February, the IOC recommended that sports federations not allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to participate in competitions due to the situation in Ukraine. Most IFs have followed this recommendation. The 2024 Summer Olympics will be held from July 26 to August 11 in Paris. «As far as I know, the IOC Executive Committee will be held at the end of the year, at which the issue (of the participation of Russians in the Games) will be decided. But, unfortunately, in some sports, selection for the Olympic The game has already begun,» Zhukov said.
