IOC releases harsh statement regarding Russia: what the aggressor is accused of

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has harshly criticized the Russian authorities for holding the so-called Friendship Games in September this year. The organization, headed by Thomas Bach, accused Russian representatives of politicizing sports and using athletes for propaganda purposes.

This is stated on the IOC's official website in the text of the declaration adopted by the organization's council. The IOC emphasized that the Russians have once again violated the Olympic Charter and continue to blatantly ignore the fight against the use of banned drugs by athletes.

"This is a cynical attempt by the Russian Federation to politicize sport. The IOC Athletes Commission opposes the use of athletes for political propaganda. The Russian government also shows complete disrespect for global anti-doping standards and the integrity of competition. This is the same government that was involved in a systematic doping program at the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics and then in the manipulation of anti-doping data," the statement reads.

The IOC also called on national committees and governments not to send their athletes to the Friendship Games, to which, incidentally, Russia cynically invited Ukrainians. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has also called for a boycott of the competitions in Russia.

As previously reported, IOC President Thomas Bach accused Russian dictator Vladimir Putin of legitimizing the use of doping by Russian athletes after he appeared with disqualified figure skater Kamila Valieva at the opening of the Future Games.

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