Putin accused the IOC of undermining the ideas of the Olympic movement

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday accused the International Olympic Committee (IOC) of undermining the ideas of Pierre de Coubertin, the founder of the modern Olympic Games, and of politicizing and commercializing sports.

“Sport should be on the sidelines of politics. It should not divide people, but unite them,” the official commented, still alluding to the bans imposed on Russian athletes as a result of the war in Ukraine.

Putin argued that the directives of international federations and the IOC itself contradict the ideals of Pierre de Coubertin.

The Russian president maintained an accusatory tone, adding that in the last decade “the Olympic movement has subordinated itself to financial interests” and there has been “unacceptable commercialization.”

“This is not just about setting records, but about uniting people. And the international Olympic movement has lost this function. This is unfortunate for the movement, and one way or another, other alternative movements are emerging,” he said.

Putin recalled that next year the Friendship Games and the BRICS Games (Brazil, India, China, Russia and South Africa) will be held, in which everyone who is “not politicized” will be happy to take part.

The government official once again expressed regret that Russian and Belarusian athletes will not be able to compete under their flags in Paris 2024, but also avoided judging those who changed their sports citizenship55, the Russian Ministry of Sports reports.

“I’m not criticizing anyone, but when an athlete, especially a top athlete, reaches the top and hears their country’s anthem and the flag being raised, that’s something important. Everyone makes their own choice,” he added.