"They are inventing draconian sanctions": Russian Olympic champion criticizes IOC

Legendary Greco-Roman wrestler Alexander Karelin has accused the International Olympic Committee (IOC) of unfairly sanctioning Russian athletes. The winner of the Games in Seoul-88, Barcelona-92 and Atlanta-96 issued traditional Kremlin propaganda narratives about the external governance of the IOC.

Karelin said this in a comment to the TASS news agency. The State Duma deputy and member of the Council of Federations, who allowed dictator Vladimir Putin to invade Ukraine, added that the IOC allegedly "intimidates countries" that intend to participate in competitions in Russia.

"I believe that the IOC has long since lost its autonomy as a full-fledged international institution. Now they are coming up with draconian sanctions for us, intimidating countries that can send their athletes to our competitions, which I am sure will be successful. We have vast experience in hosting major events, many strong athletes and a rich history," Karelin said.

It should be noted that next year Russia will host the so-called Friendship Games, which Putin ordered to be organized and to which Ukrainians were cynically invited. Earlier, the leaders of the Russian rhythmic gymnastics team, Dina and Arina Averina, said they were "not really looking forward to it" and would not compete at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

As OBOZ.UA previously reported, the president of the All-Russian Rhythmic Gymnastics Federation (ARGF) Irina Viner forbade athletes to "die and talk with hope" about being admitted to the 2024 Olympics.

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