Russian Olympic Committee president speaks out against IOC Executive Board

Russian Olympic Committee president Stanislav Pozdnyakov has issued a statement against the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) Executive Board recommendation to ban all Russian athletes from international sporting competitions.

“We have only one comment - we strongly object to the recommendations,” the statement read.

“Today’s decision of our colleagues from the IOC, in our opinion, contradicts both the regulatory documents of the IOC and the Charter, first of all, and the spirit of the Olympic Movement, which should united and not divide, especially when it comes to athletes and equality of participants of the Olympic Movement.”

The statement went on to say they (the Russian Olympic Committee) will consistently defend the rights and interests of all Russian athletes and “provide all necessary assistance to our National Sports Federations to challenge discriminatory decisions of respective International Federations.”

“The International Sports Federations have the authority to declare athletes eligible to participate in international competitions in the corresponding sport. We will send inquiries to them to receive official answers about the status of Russian athletes and their right to participate in international competitions.”