Russia unveils Olympic ambitions
(MENAFN) Russia plans to submit a bid to host the Olympic Games again once the global political environment becomes more favorable, according to Sports Minister Mikhail Degtyarev. The country has previously hosted the Olympics twice—Moscow in 1980 and Sochi in 2014—but has faced widespread exclusion from international sporting events following the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in 2022.
Degtyarev, who also heads the Russian Olympic Committee, expressed confidence in Russia’s ability to host the Games again, citing past successes. “We’ve already demonstrated our capabilities. Eventually, diplomatic ties will normalize, and we’ll return to the Olympic fold. I’m sure we’ll pursue bids for both Summer and Winter Games,” he said on Thursday.
He also highlighted the 2018 FIFA World Cup as an example of Russia’s welcoming environment and organizational prowess, recalling the positive experiences of fans from around the world.
Condemning the exclusion of Russian athletes from various competitions, including the 2024 Paris Olympics, Degtyarev criticized what he called nationality-based discrimination. “The Olympics are meant to unite, not divide. Boycotts and bans contradict the very spirit of the Games,” he said.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) recently banned Russian ice hockey teams from the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy, a decision Moscow has pledged to contest. Russian officials have consistently accused Western nations of politicizing sports and pressuring international federations to exclude Russian athletes. Moscow views these IOC sanctions as a violation of the Olympic Charter, which prohibits political influence in sport.
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