State Duma deputy Dmitry Svishchev has demanded that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) lift any restrictions on the admission of Russian athletes to the competition. He called the condition for the representatives of the aggressor country to condemn the war in Ukraine "a renunciation of the people".

Svishchev said this in a comment to Sport-Express. At the same time, the official immediately emphasised that no one has the right to put pressure on the IOC and put forward demands on the organisation, because in this case it ceases to be independent and fulfil its function.

"There should be no additional requirements for the admission of our athletes. None of the Russian athletes are planning to sign ballots, questionnaires or renounce the people. Those guys who have gone all the way, top-level athletes, know perfectly well how to defend the interests of their sports colleagues. We need to maintain a daily dialogue with the IOC and defend our position. No one has the right to dictate terms to the IOC. Otherwise, it becomes an entity controlled by certain political forces rather than an independent public organisation," said Svishchev.

Earlier, the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) spoke of "sporting peace" and demanded "equality and respect" from the IOC, as well as admission to the 2024 Olympics.

As OBOZREVATEL previously reported, legendary hockey player Vyacheslav Fetisov complained that Russia failed to "put everyone in their place" and called the IOC's demands arbitrary. He also insulted the world's sports officials with the words "f*ck you all".

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