Degtyarev said that the positions with the IOC on the participation of Russians in competitions have converged

Russia and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) have converged in their views on the participation of Russian athletes in competitions. This was announced by Mikhail Degtyarev, head of the Russian Ministry of Sport, on November 18 at the All-Russian Forum of New Media.

"The convergence of positions has begun, you have probably noticed the changes in rhetoric. I believe it is time to end accusations and insults, we need to start rapprochement between our Olympic Committee and the IOC," Degtyarev said.

He specified that the dialogue with representatives of the organization is conducted in a non-public format through various channels. The minister himself meets with the committee officials. Degtyarev reminded that the recommendations to allow Russians to participate in the neutral status are illegal. The minister pointed out that he is surrounded by the strongest lawyers in the work on the return of athletes from Russia to international competitions, and soon the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) will also be strengthened in this area.

Earlier, July 26, IOC Vice-President Nicole Hevertz said that it's important for the organization to see the Russians and Belarusians as participants in the Olympic movement. At the same time, the official, who headed the commission on the selection of these athletes, said that 60 athletes from the two countries were admitted to participate, of which 15 Russians and 17 Belarusians agreed to participate, while a total of 187 candidates were considered.

At the same time, December 8, 2023, the IOC allowed Russian and Belarusian athletes to participate in the Olympic Games in Paris, held from July 26 to August 11, under strict conditions because of the special operation of the Russian Federation to protect Donbass. In particular, athletes could not participate in team competitions, speak in support of the special operation, sign contracts with the armed forces and national security agencies, or display any national symbols.

Commenting on this, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova emphasized that it was up to the athletes from the Russian Federation to decide whether to agree to participate in the Games under such conditions.