IOC implores athletes not to participate in Friendship Games later this year in Russia | CBC Sports
Facing a Russia-organized potential rival to the Olympics, the International Olympic Committee urged sports and political leaders on Tuesday not to take part in the Friendship Games due to launch weeks after the Summer Games in Paris. The IOC denounced diplomatic moves to promote the inaugural event in September as a cynical attempt by the Russian Federation to bring politics into sports, reiterating the need to reject any effort to fully politicize international sport. Russian President Vladimir Putin decreed the start organizing summer and winter events under the banner of the Friendship Games last year, offering substantial prize money as an incentive.
The Games, slated to take place in Moscow and Yekaterinburg in September, aim to counter Russia’s increasing isolation in international sports following the military invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Russian officials have set a prize fund totaling 4.6 billion rubles ($50 million US) for the event, with the first edition scheduled to kick off shortly after the Tokyo Olympics’ closing ceremony.
With Russia excluded from team sports and facing stringent vetting for individual athletes at the Olympics, the Friendship Games appear to offer a platform for Russian competitors to participate without restrictions. Reports suggest that the initiative aims to revive the careers of Russian athletes impacted by ongoing conflicts, though the specifics of participating countries and athletes remain unclear.
The IOC’s warnings against participation highlight the concerns of athletes being exploited for political propaganda, urging all stakeholders to prioritize the integrity of international sport over political agendas. As the global sports community navigates these tensions and potential schisms, the decision to participate in the Friendship Games carries significant implications for the future of athletic competition and diplomatic relations on the world stage.
