Fico questioned the value of a gold medal without Russia's participation in the Olympics

On February 20, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico questioned the value of an Olympic gold medal without Russia's participation in the competition.

"Does an Olympic gold medal really have the same value if Russians played there? <...> These are unnecessary political decisions. Completely unnecessary," Fico said.

The politician also cited the example of Ukrainian track and field athlete Sergei Bubka, who once set many world records and imagined what would happen if he were a Russian and he was banned from participating in competitions.

"Then what is the value of the gold medal? If the Russian national team participated, everyone would want to beat it...> Everyone would like to prove it on the sports field," stressed the Slovak Prime Minister.

In addition, he expressed regret over the absence of the Russian national ice hockey team at the Games in Italy, calling the Russian national team one of the strongest in the world.

"I don't feel any pressure at the Olympics. I like to separate myself from everyone"

Figure skater Adelia Petrosyan — about her debut at the Games, her decision not to settle in the Olympic village and her plans for the free skate

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on February 12 that Moscow was counting on the restoration of the ROC's full-fledged status in the international Olympic movement and was seeking the return of the rights of Russian athletes. She added that the opening of the Olympics is always a celebration of sports, which should remain a symbol of unity, striving for excellence, fair struggle and respect for the values and foundations of the Olympic movement.

Mikhail Degtyarev, the Russian Minister of Sports and Chairman of the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC), said at a meeting of the State Duma Committee on Physical Culture and Sport on February 11 that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) might consider restoring ROC status in April or May.

All important news is on the Izvestia channel in the MAX messenger.