Putin called the behavior of the former IOC leadership cowardly and shameful.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, during a meeting with the winners and prize-winners of the World Boxing Championships on April 22, said that the former leadership of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) had demonstrated shameful and cowardly behavior that caused enormous damage to the Olympic movement.

"The shameful, I would say cowardly, politically motivated behavior of the former leadership of the International Olympic Committee has caused enormous damage to the Olympic movement and the very principles of Olympism," the head of state said.

The Russian leader also expressed hope that the new leadership of the IOC will be able to get rid of the heavy and shameful legacy left by his predecessors as soon as possible.

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On March 18, Putin expressed hope that the IOC would stop discriminating against Russian athletes and stop "doing magic tricks."