Russia's 'Friendship Games' politicise sport - IOC

Russia's plan to host a 'Friendship Games' is "a cynical attempt" by the country "to politicise sport", says the International Olympic Committee.

Russia wants to hold the event in September this year, with a winter Games planned for 2026.

The IOC said the plan is a "blatant violation of the Olympic Charter".

The first Friendship Games were organised by the Soviet Union and eight other countries after they boycotted the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles.

Russia is currently banned from the Olympics following the invasion of Ukraine.

The IOC added: "The Russian government has launched a very intensive diplomatic offensive by having government delegations and ambassadors, as well as ministerial and other governmental authorities, approaching governments around the world.

"To make their purely political motivation even more obvious, they are deliberately circumventing the sports organisations in their target countries.

"This is a blatant violation of the Olympic Charter and an infringement of the various UN resolutions at the same time.

"It is a cynical attempt by the Russian Federation to politicise sport."

It added the Russian government is showing "total disrespect for the global anti-doping standards and the integrity of competitions".

After the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Russian and Belarusian athletes were widely banned from international sport.

However, athletes from both countries who have qualified for the Paris 2024 Olympics will be allowed to participate as neutral individuals.

For this summer's Games in Paris, the conditions of their inclusion include competing without flags, emblems or anthems of their country.

The IOC also highlighted unnecessary pressures athletes could face if they are forced to participate in the Friendship Games, stating they could be at risk of being "exploited as part of a political propaganda campaign".

Last week, the World Anti-Doping Agency, external (Wada) raised concerns about unsanctioned multi-sports events at its meeting in Lausanne, Switzerland.

Wada said the Friendship Games will not take place under the protection of the World Anti-Doping Code, so could compromise the "health and fairness" of athletes.