Russia sports minister says Ukraine has no say on IOC

Russian Sports Minister Mikhail Degtyarev told AFP that Ukraine should not interfere in the International Olympic Committee's decision to permit Russia's return as an officially recognised nation.

Degtyarev said Ukraine's appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport should be dismissed, arguing that the IOC's decision was a matter between Russia and the IOC.

“The IOC's decision is not something Ukraine should concern itself with, as they are not involved in any related dispute,” he said.

The IOC eased restrictions on Russian athletes on July 7 and opened a pathway for them to compete in qualifying events for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Ukraine has asked CAS to annul the decision, claiming it contradicted the Olympic Charter, was premature and failed to take account of the circumstances behind Russia's suspension.

A Russian team of 13 athletes and 10 coaches is due to parade with the national flag at the Youth Olympics in Dakar at the end of this month, and the Russian anthem is to be played. The competition in Senegal will be the first time Russia's national symbols have been permitted since the 2020 Youth Olympics in Lausanne.

The IOC has deferred a decision on whether Russia's flag and anthem will be restored for the Los Angeles Games.

Ukraine's sports minister Matviy Bidnyi told AFP that Russia was misleading the IOC over its claims to have stopped sports activities on Ukrainian land annexed during the war. Degtyarev said sport should unite rather than divide and argued that the IOC was restoring that principle.