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≡ INTEL REPORT ≡
A major change in the Russian approach to the International Olympic Committee and the Olympic Movement was signaled in Moscow Monday by the Russian Minister of Sport, Mikhail Degtyarev.
Speaking at the All-Russian Forum of New Media, he explained that there is continuing dialogue between Russia and the IOC, with a view to the future:
“The dialogue is being conducted, non-publicly, through various channels and on neutral territories.
“I meet with international officials, there are various means of communication. The convergence of positions has begun. I believe that we need to stop with accusations, insults, we need to start moving towards softening the IOC’s position towards our athletes.”
Sanctions were imposed on Russian athletes quickly after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, shortly after the conclusion of the 2022 Olympic Winter Games in Beijing, China. The IOC recommended banning all Russian and Belarusian athletes and teams from international competitions, which was enforced by almost all of the International Federations.
The IOC eased this stance at the end of 2022, and in March 2023, issued recommendations to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes who do not “actively support the war” to be able to compete as “neutrals.” Many federations follows this guideline, but some – World Athletics in particular – maintained a full ban.
In October 2023, the IOC suspended the Russian Olympic Committee for taking over regional sports organizations which are part of the structure of the Ukrainian National Olympic Committee, and that sanction remains in place.
Finally, the IOC determined its own procedure for reviewing “neutral” athletes for the purpose of competing at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, with 15 Russian and 17 Belarusian athletes finally competing in the Games as “neutrals.”
The Russian response has been continuing, harsh criticism of the IOC and especially of President Thomas Bach (GER). Now, with the IOC to elect a new President next March, Russian sport has taken on a new look:
● Russian sports minister Oleg Matytsin, 60, stepped down and Degtyarev, 43, was named to replace him in May 2024.
● Russian Olympic Committee President Stanislav Pozdnyakov, 51, a four-time Olympic gold medalist in fencing, also a harsh critic of the IOC and Bach, announced he would step down in October after six years at the head of the ROC.
● Soon after, Degtyarev said he would stand to be the Russian Olympic Committee President as well as Minister of Sport. With the approval of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Degtyarev will be elected as ROC President in December, unifying the country’s sports leadership.
All of this is aimed at removing Russia’s harshest critics in order to promote a rapprochement with the IOC in advance of its March election.
Of the seven candidates for the IOC Presidency, the Russians are sternly against Sebastian Coe (GBR) from World Athletics, who has been resolute in maintaining sanctions against them. They are more hopeful of the election of veteran IOC member Juan Antonio Samaranch (ESP), whose father was a transformational IOC leader from 1980-2001, or UCI President David Lapparetient (FRA) or Japan’s Morinari Watanabe, head of the International Gymnastics Federation.
Fewer comments have been made about candidates Feisal Al Hussein (JOR), Olympic champion swimmer Kirsty Coventry (ZIM), or International Ski & Snowboard Federation chief Johan Eliasch (GBR).
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As another indicator that the Russian charm offensive is in full gear, Degtyarev also said that arrangements are being made for the Russian Anti-Doping Agency fees to the World Anti-Doping Agency to be paid in full.
“The dialogue is ongoing, the money is there,” Degtyarev said. “A trial payment was made in June, with great difficulty. Everything will depend on WADA’s position toward the Russian Anti-Doping Agency.”
The Russian news agency TASS reported:
“In 2024, WADA expects Russia to pay a contribution of $1,335,860. Russia’s contribution for 2023 is $1,267,023. At the beginning of the summer, $53,237 was paid, which is 4.2% of the total amount. Russia still has $1,213,786 to pay.”
Russia has reported some difficulty in making transfers due to financial sanctions imposed on it, but is now seeking to bring its accounts up to date, no doubt earlier than the IOC Session next March in Greece.
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