Photo: Collected
Russian President Vladimir Putin accused the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on Thursday of threatening the Olympic movement by imposing rules on Russian athletes for the Paris 2024 Summer Games.
Earlier this month, the IOC ruled to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete in France as neutrals and as long as they did not actively support Moscow's Ukraine offensive.
"If they continue to act this way, they will bury the Olympic movement," Putin said.
He did not give a clear answer if Russian athletes should go to Paris.
"To go or not to go?... The conditions must be closely analysed," Putin said.
"If they are politically motivated, artificial conditions aimed at cutting off our (political) leaders... and to weaken our team, then the ministry of sport and Russia's Olympic committee should make an informed decision," he added.
He accused sports officials of acting "under the pressure of Western elites".
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