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    Since our previous encounter at the Executive Committee meeting, many events have taken place that confirm that the Russian Olympic movement continues to develop progressively, despite everything.

    This is evidenced by our active work in supporting our member organizations and the Russian sports community as a whole, as well as our outreach and educational initiatives, along with our international engagements.

    All of the above requires our prompt response in some cases, and in other cases detailed expert work on a proactive basis.

    But first things first. The first thing to note is the unrelenting external pressure, in response to which Russia has not only not wavered, but continues to respond with dignity and full legitimacy.

    In our case, we are referring, of course, to unfriendly, to say the least, actions taken by certain officials within the IOC, WADA, and several other international sports organizations. As you are aware, the Russian Olympic Committee, as well as the NOC of Belarus, has not received an official invitation to the 2024 Games. In fact, our colleagues from Lausanne have taken the official step of severing our athletes from any support from public or state structures. They are imposing conditions of neutralization based on passport considerations in exchange for the possibility (!!!) of competing in events.

    Dear friends!

    I won’t reiterate the details of the so-called “recommendations” once again. It has been repeatedly pointed out that these recommendations are discriminatory, exacerbate double standards, reflect legal arbitrariness, and undermine the value of the Olympic Charter.

    It seems that the IOC may change it now, possibly to justify and legitimize their decisions. Decisions, purely political.

    Banning athletes from participating in their professional activities on the international stage is nothing less than a display of unfair competition.

    The changes to the Charter are indeed a significant development, highlighting the unfortunate reality that the international sports and Olympic movement has come under blatant political pressure.

    And Lausanne, unable to withstand external pressure, has openly taken one side of the political conflict.

    In the absence of political will within the IOC to address the situation and restore normalcy, international federations are hesitant to make decisions that would bring things back in line with established rules and principles. In the meantime, the selection process is completed, qualifying tournaments are held, and the question of the Olympic Games becomes simply irrelevant.

    So far, there is only one conclusion: our athletes are not expected at this Olympics. And those who can get there are not guaranteed safety, support, or fair judging.

    In response to my “colleagues from Lausanne,” I will only reply with their own phrase: this is deeply regrettable.

    Which we remind them of on a regular basis. Both in public communication and in private.

    This is the position of the Athletes’ Commission of the ROC, and I know that this is overwhelmingly the position of the heads of our all-Russian federations. Here we are in solidarity, based on our regular discussion of the current situation. And this is the only possible counterbalance to the ongoing attempts to split Russian sport – into those participating, those not admitted, those who have changed their sporting citizenship, and so on.

    Dear colleagues!

    We have largely managed to develop a consolidated position, including with our colleagues from Belarus, which we have communicated to international sports organizations. The sanctions against our sport are groundless and illegal. In doing so, they have rebounded for years on the integrity and reputation of the IOC itself, its true mission, self-sufficiency, and political independence. The current recommendations are poisonous and harmful, and in our view, the only option is to immediately return to the status quo that existed before they were hastily formulated in February 2022. This is what we advocate within the IOC, and this is what we explain to our colleagues from partner NOCs, with whom we have an increasingly broad and substantive dialogue.

    Our Secretary General will provide more detailed information today on bilateral relations within the framework of our organization’s international activities. I would like to express my gratitude to our colleagues from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for their comprehensive support and assistance in addressing the primary objective of overturning discriminatory decisions against Russian sport.

    We are currently conducting productive and cordial meetings with National Olympic Committees (NOCs) from Asian, African, South American countries, and maintaining ongoing communication with athletes’ associations. Promote and clarify our position on all key issues.

    Our foreign colleagues have shown great enthusiasm in participating in major events organized by the ROC or events in which we participate. Foreign delegations have attended events such as the Young Olympians Forum, the Russia-Africa Forum in St. Petersburg, and the Russia-Islamic World Forum in Kazan. Recently, we also held an extended meeting of the ROC Athletes’ Commission and RUSADA’s Clean Sport Forum in Suzdal, with foreign representation.

    These events are not only important for international cooperation but also have a significant humanitarian, social, and educational component.

    We pay very serious attention to sports and Olympic education today. We have established close cooperation on targeted programs and professional development courses with the Russian International Olympic University, Moscow State Institute of International Relations, Lesgaft University, and State Central Order of Lenin Institute of Physical Culture. An agreement has been signed with the Diplomatic Academy. We will continue to develop this direction, as we see a great demand for specialized specialists in almost all sports organizations.

    Colleagues!

    In the current situation, while addressing immediate issues in the context of high-performance sport, we should not lose sight of the future. Despite the significant reduction in ROC funding this year for obvious reasons, we are committed to supporting the development of a competitive Olympic reserve in the medium term, with an eye on future Olympic cycles.

    Today, the State, the Ministry of Sport, the ROC and other public organizations make multiple efforts to provide our athletes with competitive practice worthy of their level. However, alongside this important current work, we recognize the relevance and necessity of projects and programs aimed at developing the new generations of our athletes, in close collaboration with our sports federations. We are actively involving colleagues from the regions in this activity, expanding direct interaction with both young athletes and coaches. We will continue to develop this direction, seeking funds, optimizing internal opportunities. It is an imperative investment in the future.

    And in the present, we participate as much as possible in the creation of new competition formats. We partially fund them. Examples include the “Children of Asia” International Games, championships and tournaments with foreign participation, the University Sports Festival in Yekaterinburg, and the “Queen of Sports” organized by the All-Russian Athletics Federation in Yekaterinburg.

    At the same time, we continue our activities in the field of mass and amateur sports, thus maintaining and strengthening our connection with high-performance sports. I would like to take this opportunity to invite you to a session of the Russian Olympic Committee as part of the “Russia – Country of Sports” forum.

    The All-Russian Olympic Day was very successful this summer in St. Petersburg, the main site of the Walking Day this coming weekend will be Ufa. The Russian Olympic Committee took an active part in the “Labor Reserves” Corporate Sports Festival, with which we have an existing cooperation agreement, and a series of events with our participation were held in September in the Far East.  These are just a few examples.

    Dear Colleagues!

    Another important topic for us to consider today. I think everyone agrees with the President – participation in international competitions, including the Olympics, in a neutral status is a personal choice for everyone.

    What we are now trying to emphasize are the hidden negative aspects disguised under the duty declarations of the authors of the “recommendations” about their concern for the interests of athletes and their alleged desire to return Russians to international competitions. The national and sporting principles are already severely restricted there. As a result, hundreds of our athletes, and in most cases, we are talking about the leaders of the national teams, the national teams as a whole… And in the case of team sports – they as were excommunicated from the beginning.

    In addition to career difficulties and purely athletic development, it is also a serious financial loss. The loss of income, which is difficult to make up for, even for honored champions and medalists, is now a significant issue.

    We have found a way to support the Olympians, indirectly fulfilling the instructions of the President of Russia, Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin – a very important moment for those who have not signed any political declarations or statements and continue to be illegally deprived of the opportunity to participate in qualifying tournaments.

    I am convinced that this will be a responsible, timely and appropriate step towards our athletes.

    The project in question provides for payments to members of the Russian Olympic team who have previously competed at the Olympic Games, are now continuing their active sports careers, but have been unlawfully deprived of the opportunity to fully compete for tickets to the Games.

    Timeline

    IN SECTION
    News feed 9 March 2024
    ROC Secretary General took part in the presentation of the International Sports Games “Children of Asia-2024”

    The III Summit of Young Professionals in Sport concluded in Bangkok, focusing primarily on the development of children’s sports across the Asian continent.

    News feed 27 February 2024
    Stanislav Pozdnyakov: “We need to gradually move away from the term “new territories”. Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics, Zaporizhzhya, Kherson Oblast – these are already full-fledged regions of the Russian Federation”

    The ROC President visited a training session of the youth squads of the Rostov-Don women’s handball club as part of the Educational Forum in the capital of the Rostov Region.

    News feed 26 February 2024
    Stanislav Pozdnyakov: “For the ROC, the strategic priority is to form new generations of strong athletes, worthy citizens of our country”

    The ROC President opened the educational forum of Olympic councils and sports federations of new Russian regions in Rostov-on-Don.