Athletistic/Others. Russian State Duma Deputy Dmitry Pirog expressed his opinion regarding the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) call for athletes and governments to refuse to participate in the Friendship Games.

On Tuesday March 19, the IOC called on all participants in the Olympic movement to refuse to participate in upcoming competitions in Russia.

“It seems that the IOC has finally lost its original mission – the development of sport, the protection of true Olympic principles and the creation of equal opportunities for athletes. This organization today resembles more of a policeman of world sport , acting as a strict guardian of order, which pleases the collective West,” Pirog noted in the conversation with “SE”.

The MP also stressed that the IOC’s call to boycott the Friendship Games has nothing to do with sport.

“The IOC’s recommendation not to participate in the World Friendship Games is another political provocation that has nothing to do with sport. This does not surprise me at all. The Russophobic line expressed by Bach and his team is observed for a long time. Russian athletes are subject to sanctions and bans from all sides. Therefore, Bach’s statements about the politicization of Russian sports are just a farce. All this comedy is the result of desperation. Russia will organize open competitions for the world. The IOC understands that, and that’s where all these attacks come from,” Pirog added.

The IOC statement condemns moves to politicize sport, including the creation of politicized sporting events by the Russian government.

The Friendship Games are scheduled for September 15-29 in Moscow and Yekaterinburg.

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