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Ukrainian athletes should not avoid Russian flag’s display as 'winners must be respected'

Some of the international sports federations earlier decided to lift previously imposed restrictions not only for youth athletes but for all athletes at various levels from Russia and Belarus

ST. PETERSBURG, June 5. /TASS/. Ukrainian athletes’ public gestures as they cover their faces in view of the Russian national flag during award ceremonies are in vain because in sports one should respect the winners, Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Friday.

"They shouldn’t do this, as the winners must be treated with respect," Peskov told journalists on the sidelines of the 29th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF).

In December 2025, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Executive Board issued recommendations that allowed athletes in international federations from Russia and Belarus to participate in youth disciplines under the national flags and anthems. This recommendation applied to both individual and team sports. Numerous international sports federations followed the proposal.

Later on, some of the international sports federations decided to lift all previously imposed restrictions not only for youth athletes but for all athletes at various levels from Russia and Belarus.

SPIEF-2026

The 2026 St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) is taking place on June 3-6 and is the 29th edition. This year, the event is held under the theme "Pragmatic Dialogue: the Path to a Stable Future." Saudi Arabia is the guest country at SPIEF. The forum program is dedicated to shaping a new model of global development amid the ongoing transformation of the world economy.

The program includes the SME Forum, the Creative Industries Forum, the Day of the Future International Youth Economic Forum, and the Ensuring Drug Security Forum. As part of the cultural program, the Petersburg Seasons festival and the traditional SPIEF Sports Games will take place. This year, Russia’s national economic development institution VEB.RF is the title partner of SPIEF.

The Roscongress Foundation is the organizer of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. TASS is its official general information partner.

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