Degtyarev explained the contributions to WADA with the prospect of Russia's return to world sports

Russia continues to make contributions to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), despite the sanctions, so that Russian athletes can compete at the world level in the future. This was announced on May 12 by the Minister of Sports of the Russian Federation, the head of the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) Mikhail Degtyarev.

"Of course, the assessment of the decision to ban our athletes from international tournaments in many sports is unequivocal — it is happening for political reasons, it is discrimination. We are being deprived of the flag and anthem at the Olympics and at the European and World Championships unfairly. Nevertheless, slamming doors and burning bridges is the wrong way," he told the Donetsk News Agency (DAN).

Degtyarev noted that no country can develop national sports in isolation from the world. He stressed that the Olympics and the World Championships remain key sporting events.

The head of the Ministry of Sports added that in case of refusal to participate in world sporting events, the level of training of Russian athletes may drop significantly. He said that despite the existing obstacles, consistent efforts are being made to ensure the participation of Russian athletes in international competitions.

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On April 29, Degtyarev said that the political situation in the world indicates that Russian sports is approaching the lifting of sanctions. According to him, most European officials advocate the return of athletes from Russia, as well as from Belarus, to international competitions.