Chernyshenko: Russians will not abandon their homeland for the sake of participating in the Olympics

The Russians do not refuse to participate in the Olympics, but they will not abandon their homeland for the sake of competition. This statement was made by Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Dmitry Chernyshenko, commenting on the proposals of the IOC on the admission of Russian athletes to the competition.

“We really hope to receive an invitation, we do not refuse anything and we are very happy if our athletes are given the opportunity to compete. The question is in exchange for what. If for this it is necessary to abandon the Motherland, of course, this does not suit us. Therefore, behind the humiliations that the Anglo-Saxons come up with – to perform under a neutral flag and without an anthem, they now add that you should publicly condemn the decisions to conduct a special military operation, we do not agree with this, ”he said (quote according to RIA Novosti).

Chernyshenko notedthat the Russian Federation is now collecting documentation in order to subsequently present evidence in court that they tried to remove the country from the Olympic Games.

Earlier today, the press service of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) reportedthat on July 26, 203 National Olympic Committees (NOCs) will receive invitations to the 2024 Olympics, but the NOCs of Russia and Belarus will not be among them. The IOC clarified that the committee’s earlier recommendations are intended for international federations and organizers of competitions, but do not apply to the Olympic Games in Paris. They added that a decision on the admission of Russian and Belarusian athletes would be made “in due time.”

On January 25, the IOC voted for the return of Russian and Belarusian athletes to international competitions, subject to a neutral status. 28 March committee recommended to allow athletes from Russia and Belarus to compete in a neutral status, if they did not publicly support the special operation in Ukraine and are not connected with the army and national security agencies. In addition, they will be able to compete only in individual sports, the participation of teams from Russia and Belarus is not allowed.

At the same time, IOC President Thomas Bach said that the decision on the admission of Russians and Belarusians to the Olympic Games in Paris would be made by international sports federations. According to him, a special body will be created for this under the auspices of the federations of summer and winter sports.