He International Olympic Committee (IOC) overthrowing the ideas of Pierre de Coubertinthe founder of the modern Olympic Games, through the politicization and commercialization of sport, denounced today by the Russian president, Vladimir Putinat the plenary session of the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok.
“I think the current leadership of the international federations, of the IOC itself, they overturn Pierre de Coubertin’s original idea“he said, commenting on the bans imposed on Russian athletes because of the war in Ukraine.
According to Putin, “Sport should be outside of politics. It should not alienate people, but unite them.” In addition, he regretted that in the last decade “the Olympic movement fell into the trap of financial interests.” “An unacceptable commercialization of international sport and the global Olympic movement took place,” he added.
The Russian president pointed that out “It’s not just about setting records, it’s about bringing people together.” “And the global Olympic movement has lost this role. And it is regrettable for this movement, because one way or another alternative movements will emerge. That is inevitable. It is an objective process,” he said.
Putin recalled that next year the Friendship Games and the BRICS Games (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) will be held, in which “all non-politicians are welcome to participate.”
He also condemned the decision of ban Russian and Belarusian athletes from participating under their flags at the Paris Olympics in 2024noting that they “have for decades marched towards their goals, but now they cannot achieve them because of political considerations.”
In that sense, he refused to judge Russian athletes who changed their sports citizenship: 55 according to the Russian Sports Ministry, although experts estimate that there may be more than a hundred.
“I don’t criticize anyone. But when an athlete, especially a high-performance one, steps up to the pedestal and hears his country’s anthem and the flag is raised, it’s a big deal. But at the end of the day, everyone makes their own choice,” he said.
Of course, he acknowledged that “for some, sport and international competitions are like a sublimation of war.” “There seems to be some truth to it,” he said.
Source: La Verdad
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