"We must not turn our backs, shut down or boycott the Olympic movement". This was announced by the Sports Minister of Russia, Oleg Matitsyn, in connection with calls for all Russian athletes to boycott the Olympics in Paris this summer due to the restrictions imposed by the International Olympic Committee.
The IOC decided to admit to Paris only individual competitors from Russia and Belarus, who would participate under a neutral flag, with the additional condition that they had not expressed a position in support of Russia's military actions in Ukraine. Moscow considers the restrictions discriminatory, but according to Matitsyn, it should not lead to a boycott.
"There is no way to give general recommendations for all our athletes, as different international sports federations have different restrictions. Some completely prohibit participation, others allow participation under a neutral flag. It is very important for our athletes and our society that the dialogue be open and let's give our athletes a chance to fight to show that we are a great sporting nation," commented Matitsyn. /BGNES
