CNN —The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has criticized Russia’s so-called Friendship Games as being “purely politically motivated” and a violation of the Olympic Charter.
According to Russian state news agency TASS, 5,500 people are expected to participate at the Friendship Games, competing for a total prize purse of 4.6 billion rubles (around $50 million).
Russian President Vladimir Putin said that the event ensures “free access of Russian athletes and sports organizations to international sports activities,” TASS reported.
The Friendship Games were first staged in 1984 in the Soviet Union, the same year that the country had boycotted the Los Angeles Olympics that year.
CNN has contacted the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) in response to the IOC’s Tuesday press release.
Persons:
Russia’s, John Coates, Vladimir Putin, “, ”, WADA
Organizations:
CNN, Olympic Committee, Olympic Charter, Paris, IOC, Friendship Games, ” TASS, Friendship, Cortina d’Ampezzo, Games, Los Angeles Olympics, Olympic, Russian Olympic Committee, Doping Agency
Locations:
Moscow, Russian, Russia, Sochi, Milan, Soviet Union, Ukraine, Belarusian