Signal: Russia wants to thaw relations with the IOC

Russia has decided to rebuild the bridges that connect it to the world of international sports. The first step was from the highest level. The Russian Minister of Sports, Mikhail Degtyarev, who would fill the vacant post of head of the Russian Olympic Committee, pleaded for the improvement of relations and the cessation of polemics with the IOC. Degtyarev spoke about this opening at a sports meeting attended by Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin. The meeting comes days after the resignation of the head of the National Olympic Committee, Stanislav Pozdnyakov, who cited the need for change given the "geopolitical challenges" facing Russian sport. "The return to the Olympic movement in accordance with the contributions of Russian and Soviet sports. And restoring the rights of our athletes - this is the policy we will maintain," Degtyarev said. "There are every reason to say that there is availability for dialogue, including, unofficially, with the IOC members. We need to maintain dialogue without insulting each other or shaking our fists." The TASS news agency noted that Degtyarev was nominated for the post by the head of the Russian Tennis Federation, Shamil Tarpishchev, at a meeting of the Russian President's Council for development of physical culture and sports, which took place in the city of Ufa. Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Russia treats all its opponents with respect, according to TASS: "Based on our vast experience of organizing large-scale sports events, including the Games Winter Games in Sochi and the FIFA World Cup, we are promoting new forms of cooperation, at the same time basing ourselves on the true ideals and principles of sport." Putin listed the ideals and principles in sport that he believes Russia promotes: "They are solidarity , fairness, the triumph of the human spirit, power and intelligence. There is honor and respect for the dignity of opponents - strong opponents. We treat all opponents with respect."

For decades, Russia and before that the Soviet Union were the main contenders for medals at the Summer and Winter Olympics. This year, Russia was banned from participating as a team at the Paris Games due to the Kremlin's invasion of Ukraine. Only a handful of athletes participated as "neutrals", subject to IOC vetting to ensure they did not support the invasion or maintain ties to the military.