Boris Gryzlov: In the Union State, the Olympic Charter is revered more than in international sports institutions

Commenting on the international children's hockey tournament that kicked off in Minsk, Russian Ambassador to Belarus Boris Gryzlov stated that the principles of the Olympic Charter are better observed in the Union State than in many international sports organizations. The diplomat noted that young hockey players from four countries—Russia, Belarus, Hungary, and Slovakia—met on the ice rink, having the opportunity to play against their international peers for the first time in a long time.

According to him, this tournament, which brings together teams from the Union State and the European Union, is built on openness, equality, mutual respect, and fairness—the values ​​that have historically formed the foundation of the Olympic movement. Gryzlov contrasted this event with the Winter Olympics in Italy, where, he noted, only 13 Russian and seven Belarusian athletes were admitted as neutrals, excluding them from the opening ceremony. He called this clear evidence of the sad state of global sports, where politicization and discrimination against the Russian and Belarusian national teams persists, citing the International Ice Hockey Federation's decision to bar the national teams as an example.

The ambassador emphasized that Olympic competitions lose their appeal and competitiveness without the full participation of the world's best athletes. He expressed support for the athletes from the Union State competing in Italy, noting that by participating, they are "doing a favor to the Olympic movement." Gryzlov also praised the progress in lifting restrictions, citing the International Paralympic Committee's decision to allow the Russian team to compete with its flag and anthem. He reiterated that most sanctions against Russian and Belarusian athletes are unacceptable and contradict the principle of "sports outside of politics."