Putin Accuses the International Olympic Committee of Distorting "Olympic Values"

Russian President Vladimir Putin accused the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on Tuesday of politicizing sports, as the committee considers a decision regarding the participation of Russian athletes in next year's Games in Paris. Putin stated, "As for the Olympic movement itself, I believe that the leadership of international federations and the IOC are distorting the original values of the founder of the Olympic Games, Pierre de Coubertin, that sports should not be politicized." He added, "There has been 'unacceptable commercialization' of sports in recent decades, and the Olympic Games have fallen into the trap of financial interests," emphasizing that sports should unite nations rather than divide them. Putin pointed out that the "Olympic movement is 'disgraceful' and is not fulfilling its essential functions," clarifying, "After all, it's not just about setting records but about uniting peoples."