Russian Sports Minister Threatens Legal Action Over European Restrictions

Russian Sports Minister Mikhail Degtyaryov has warned that legal action will be pursued to ensure the return of Russian athletes to international competitions if certain international sports federations continue to block their participation.

Degtyaryov, who also serves as the head of the Russian Olympic Committee, stated that the upcoming period will demand significant efforts. He indicated that some federations might persist in refusing to reinstate Russian athletes, a challenge Moscow intends to confront through legal channels.

The minister accused several European countries—primarily the Baltic states, Poland, and Germany—of working to prevent the hosting of international tournaments involving Russian participants. He suggested that these nations could gradually lose the privilege to organize such events.

Furthermore, Degtyaryov criticized representatives from these countries within the International Olympic Committee, describing their positions as "detached from reality." He reaffirmed Russia's commitment to defending its athletes' rights through judicial means.

These remarks came shortly after the International Olympic Committee announced the withdrawal of its previous recommendations that urged international sports federations and event organizers to impose restrictions on Russian athletes. The IOC also reinstated the Russian Olympic Committee's membership on a provisional basis.