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Friendship Games organizing committee chief sees no strict bans in IOC comment

On Tuesday, the IOC called on foreign athletes and governments to refuse from participation in the Friendship Games in Russia, calling them "politicized"

MOSCOW, March 21. /TASS/. The organizing committee of the Friendship Games sees no strict bans in the International Olympic Committee (IOC)’s recent comment about this sporting event, chief organizer Alexey Sorokin said.

On Tuesday, the IOC called on foreign athletes and governments to refuse from participation in the Friendship Games in Russia, calling them "politicized."

"We are organizing the Friendship Games and have no relation to the IOC whatsoever," Sorokin said. "After all, it’s a recommendation, and a very cautious one, if you read it carefully."

"Generally speaking, there was nothing strict about the IOC response; they simply expressed their attitude. Well, [their] position was heard," the official added.

In November 2023, the IOC sent a letter to national Olympic committees recommending that they not participate in the Friendship Games. Later, World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Director General Olivier Niggli said that the organization was concerned about the Friendship Games in Russia. He noted that Russia has no right to hold such events due to the Russian Anti-Doping Agency’s (RUSADA) non-compliance with the WADA Anti-Doping Code.

The International Friendship Games will be held on September 15-29 in Moscow and Yekaterinburg.

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