The IOC presidential candidate expressed his intention to return Russians to international tournaments

Morinari Watanabe, the presidential candidate of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), announced his intention to return Russian athletes to the international arena. He stated this on March 10 in an interview with reporters during his visit to Russia.

Watanabe also stressed that he would make every effort to restore the participation of Russians in major sporting events.

"Athletes are most looking forward to the opportunity to participate in international competitions. I would like their dream to come true," the candidate added.

Watanabe is one of seven candidates for the post of president of the International Olympic Committee, whose elections will be held on March 20 in Athens. Thomas Bach's successor will take office at the end of June. Other contenders include Sebastian Coe, President of the International Association of Athletics Federations, David Lapartyan, head of the International Cycling Union, as well as other sports leaders.

Side by side with the IOC: will the changes in the ROC charter lead to the return of our athletes

Now international organizations don't even have formal reasons to ban Russians.

Earlier, on March 8, the current president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Thomas Bach, called on world sports organizations to consider allowing Russians to participate in the Olympic qualification tournaments. He noted that the mission of the Olympic movement is to unite the countries of the world.