MOSCOW, November 29. /TASS/. The World Friendship Games is a unique competition which welcomes athletes from around the globe, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko said on Wednesday.

"The World Friendship Games is a unique project, which is undertaken by decree from Russian President Vladimir Putin," the Russian deputy premier said speaking at the first session of the World Friendship Games organizing committee. "The competition is open to athletes from various countries."

"The Games are organized, first of all, for the sake of the development of new formats of sports cooperation that are free from the foreign policy environment and double standards of the modern sports movement," Chernyshenko, who oversees issues of sports, culture and tourism in the Russian government, continued. "Our goal is to demonstrate to the world Russia’s ability to hold sports events of the highest quality."

"Under conditions of unprecedented pressure only coherent and coordinated work will make it possible to respond to emerging challenges," he said. "Moreover, it provides athletes from all over the world with the opportunity to be part of a large-scale celebration of sports."

The 2024 World Friendship Games will be held in the Russian capital of Moscow and the Urals city of Yekaterinburg next year between September 15 and 29.

Earlier this month, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) cautioned National Olympic Committees (NOCs) against participating in next year’s World Friendship Games in Russia, as this would violate the global Olympic body’s recommendations.

IOC President Thomas Bach stated on June 22 that "the Russian government was going to hold politicized competitions."

In mid-November, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) warned that certain sanctions could follow for any international athletes willing to participate in the 2024 World Friendship Games. WADA President Witold Banks said: "The possible participation in those competitions of those who are parties to the WADA Code, may have certain consequences.".