The International Olympic Committee on Tuesday accused Russia of “ politicize sport » by launching its “Friendship Games” from next September, a new competition competing with the Olympic Games which also plans a winter edition. The IOC, which authorizes the participation of Russian athletes in the next 2024 Paris Olympics only under a neutral banner and on condition that they have not supported the Russian invasion of Ukraine, asks the sporting world and the governments invited by Moscow « to reject any participation and support » at this event, he said in a statement. Announced several months ago, the first edition of the “Summer Friendship Games” should “ a priori to be held in Moscow and Yekaterinburg » next September, recalls the organization based in Lausanne, while the “Winter Friendship Games” are planned for 2026 in Sochi, which hosted the 2014 Winter Olympics. These two initiatives are in addition to the Games of the Future organized in Kazan from February 21 to March 3, mixing traditional disciplines and e-sport, and the “BRICS Games” scheduled in the same city from June 12 to 23, and which must host “ athletes from over 50 countries », According to the Russian authorities. The IOC does not blame the Russians for creating multi-sport competitions outside its aegis – since several already exist, including the Commonwealth Games or the Francophonie Games -, but for doing so via “ a very sustained diplomatic offensive ”, through direct contacts with “thegovernments around the world “.
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