IOC Condemns the Politicisation of Sport and Defends Olympic Values
The Olympic Movement strongly condemns any initiative to fully politicise sport, particularly the establishment of politicised sports events by the Russian government.
IOC’s Strong Opposition to the Politicisation of International Sport
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has consistently expressed strong opposition to the politicisation of international sport, emphasising that sports must remain a unifying force beyond political agendas. According to the IOC, the involvement of political motives in sporting events undermines the core values of fairness, neutrality, and global unity that the Olympic Movement represents. By keeping sport independent from political influence, the IOC aims to protect athletes, preserve the integrity of competitions, and ensure that international sport continues to inspire peace and mutual respect among nations.
Olympic Movement’s Stand Against Political Interference
The Olympic Movement firmly stands against any form of political interference that threatens the independence of sport. It strongly condemns initiatives that seek to use sporting platforms for political messaging or state-driven propaganda. The IOC maintains that athletes should never be placed in situations where political tensions overshadow their dedication, performance, and years of hard work. By safeguarding political neutrality, the Olympic Movement ensures that sport remains a space for healthy competition, cultural exchange, and international solidarity.
Call to Governments and Stakeholders to Reject Politicised Events
In line with its principles, the IOC has called upon governments, sports federations, and all stakeholders to reject participation in fully politicised sporting events. The organisation urges global authorities to support international competitions that adhere to Olympic values rather than political objectives. This collective responsibility, according to the IOC, is crucial to preserving the credibility of global sport, protecting athletes’ rights, and maintaining public trust in international sporting institutions.
Role and Mission of the International Olympic Committee
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) plays a central role in promoting sport as a tool for peace, development, and mutual understanding across the world. Its core mission is to lead the Olympic Movement and uphold the values enshrined in the Olympic Charter, including excellence, respect, and friendship. By organising the Olympic Games and supporting international sports development, the IOC works to ensure that athletes can compete in a fair, inclusive, and politically neutral environment while inspiring billions of people globally.
IOC as a Non-Governmental and Volunteer-Run Organisation
The IOC operates as an independent, non-governmental, and not-for-profit organisation, free from political and commercial control. It is unique in being largely volunteer-run, with members serving without financial gain to safeguard the integrity of the Olympic Movement. This structure allows the IOC to make decisions based on sporting values rather than political pressure, reinforcing its commitment to autonomy, transparency, and ethical governance in international sport.
Financial Support for the Global Athletic Community
A significant part of the IOC’s mission is providing financial support to athletes and sporting bodies worldwide. Through the redistribution of Olympic revenues, the IOC invests billions of dollars into National Olympic Committees, International Federations, and athlete development programmes. This funding helps nurture grassroots sports, support elite athletes, and improve training infrastructure, ensuring that sporting talent can flourish regardless of economic or geographic barriers.
Olympic Charter and the Principle of Political Neutrality
The Olympic Charter serves as the constitutional foundation of the Olympic Movement and firmly upholds the principle of political neutrality in sport. It clearly defines the rights and obligations of all Olympic stakeholders, ensuring that sport remains independent from political, religious, or ideological influence. By enforcing political neutrality, the Charter protects the universality of the Olympic Games and preserves their role as a platform for peaceful competition, cultural exchange, and mutual respect among nations.
Autonomy of Sports Organisations Under the Olympic Charter
Under the Olympic Charter, sports organisations are granted full autonomy to manage their internal affairs without external interference. This autonomy is essential for maintaining the credibility and integrity of international sport, allowing federations and committees to operate based on merit, fairness, and transparency. The IOC strongly advocates for this independence, as political intervention can compromise fair play, disrupt governance structures, and erode trust in sporting institutions.
Freedom to Govern, Regulate, and Conduct Fair Elections
The Olympic Charter guarantees sports organisations the freedom to govern and regulate their activities in accordance with established rules and ethical standards. This includes the right to conduct fair, transparent, and democratic elections without political pressure or manipulation. Such independence ensures leadership accountability, protects athletes’ interests, and maintains stability within sporting bodies, reinforcing confidence in the global sports system.
Responsibilities Linked to Good Governance in Sport
While autonomy is a protected right, it also carries significant responsibilities. The Olympic Charter emphasises good governance, requiring sports organisations to uphold transparency, accountability, and integrity in all operations. Ethical decision-making, sound financial management, and respect for athletes’ rights are fundamental obligations. By balancing autonomy with responsibility, the Olympic Movement strengthens trust, sustainability, and fairness across international sport.
Preventing the Political and Economic Misuse of Sport
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) remains vigilant in preventing the political and economic misuse of sport, recognising that such practices can damage the integrity of competitions and the welfare of athletes. Sport, according to the Olympic vision, must never become a tool for political propaganda or commercial manipulation. By actively opposing misuse, the IOC works to preserve fair play, equal opportunity, and the credibility of international sporting events, ensuring that sport continues to serve society in a positive and unifying manner.
IOC’s Duty to Protect Athletes from Political Exploitation
One of the IOC’s key responsibilities is to protect athletes from political exploitation and external pressures beyond their sporting commitments. Athletes dedicate years of training to compete at the highest level and should not be forced to represent political agendas or ideological conflicts. The IOC consistently advocates for athletes’ rights, safety, and dignity, ensuring they can compete freely in a neutral environment where performance, talent, and sportsmanship remain the sole focus.
Promotion of Olympic Ideals at the Global Level
Beyond safeguarding competitions, the IOC actively promotes Olympic ideals such as peace, respect, inclusion, and solidarity on a global scale. Through international cooperation, educational initiatives, and sports development programmes, the IOC encourages the use of sport as a bridge between cultures and nations. By reinforcing these values worldwide, the Olympic Movement strengthens its mission to inspire future generations and demonstrate that sport, when free from political and economic misuse, can contribute meaningfully to a more harmonious world.
United Nations Support for Olympic Charter Principles
The United Nations has consistently demonstrated strong support for the principles of the Olympic Charter, recognising sport as a powerful instrument for peace, development, and international cooperation. By endorsing the autonomy and neutrality of sport, the UN reinforces the global consensus that sporting activities should remain free from political interference and discrimination. This alignment between the UN and the Olympic Movement strengthens the credibility of international sport and underscores its role in fostering dialogue, unity, and mutual understanding among nations.
UN General Assembly Resolution A/RES/78/10 (November 2023)
The UN General Assembly Resolution A/RES/78/10, adopted in November 2023, reaffirmed the importance of the Olympic Charter and the independence of sport. This resolution highlighted the shared commitment of the international community to protecting the integrity of major sporting events and ensuring that athletes can compete in a neutral and respectful environment. By supporting Olympic values, the resolution reinforced the message that sport should be a platform for peace rather than political confrontation.
UN Resolution A/RES/77/27 Supporting the Independence of Sport
Earlier, UN Resolution A/RES/77/27 further emphasised the need to safeguard the independence and autonomy of sport from political and external influence. This resolution called on member states to respect the self-governance of sports organisations and uphold the principles of fair play and non-discrimination. Through such resolutions, the United Nations strengthens global support for the Olympic Movement, ensuring that sport remains a unifying force that transcends political and ideological boundaries.
Concerns Over Russia’s Politicised Sporting Initiatives
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has raised serious concerns over Russia’s recent moves to introduce politicised sporting initiatives that challenge the core values of the Olympic Movement. According to the IOC, such initiatives risk undermining the neutrality of sport by aligning competitions with state-driven political objectives. These developments have drawn international attention, as they blur the line between sport and political influence, threatening the credibility and unity of global sporting events.
Establishment of the International Friendship Association (IFA)
The creation of the International Friendship Association (IFA) has been viewed by the IOC as a step towards organising fully politicised sports events. The organisation’s structure and objectives have raised questions about its independence from government influence, prompting concerns over its alignment with Olympic principles. The IOC has cautioned that initiatives led or heavily influenced by state authorities can compromise fair competition and place athletes in politically sensitive situations.
Planned Summer Friendship Games in Moscow and Ekaterinburg
The proposed Summer Friendship Games, planned to be hosted in Moscow and Ekaterinburg, have further intensified concerns about the politicisation of sport. The IOC has highlighted that such events, if driven by political motives, risk diverting attention away from athletic excellence and international unity. Participation in these games could also expose athletes and federations to political pressure, undermining the spirit of neutral and fair competition.
Proposed Winter Friendship Games in Sochi 2026
Similarly, the proposed Winter Friendship Games in Sochi in 2026 have been criticised for potentially serving political narratives rather than sporting objectives. The IOC has reiterated that international sports events must adhere to principles of autonomy, neutrality, and good governance. Without these safeguards, such initiatives could weaken trust in global sport and deepen divisions, contradicting the Olympic mission of fostering peace and cooperation through sport.
Diplomatic Pressure and Violations of International Norms
The International Olympic Committee has expressed deep concern over the use of diplomatic pressure and political influence to advance alternative sporting events that conflict with established international norms. Such actions, when linked to state-driven agendas, risk undermining the rules-based global sports system that has been built on cooperation, neutrality, and mutual respect. The IOC maintains that international sport must function independently of geopolitical strategies to preserve its integrity and universal appeal.
Aggressive Political Campaign to Promote Friendship Games
The IOC has highlighted reports of an aggressive political and diplomatic campaign aimed at promoting participation in the so-called Friendship Games. This approach, which allegedly involves lobbying governments and sports bodies through political channels, runs counter to the spirit of voluntary and autonomous participation in sport. The IOC warns that pressuring athletes, federations, or National Olympic Committees to align with politicised events threatens freedom of choice and places undue political burdens on the sporting community.
Breach of the Olympic Charter and UN Resolutions
According to the IOC, these actions represent a clear breach of the Olympic Charter, which mandates political neutrality and the autonomy of sport. Furthermore, such practices contradict multiple United Nations resolutions that support the independence of sport and discourage political interference in sporting activities. By disregarding these internationally recognised principles, politicised initiatives risk isolating themselves from the global sports framework and weakening collective efforts to ensure fair, inclusive, and peaceful international competition.
IOC Athletes’ Commission and Athlete Protection
Opposition to Using Athletes as Political Campaign Tools
The IOC Athletes’ Commission, which represents Olympic athletes worldwide, has taken a firm and unequivocal position against the use of sportspeople as instruments of political messaging. The Commission emphasises that athletes dedicate their lives to sport and should never be placed in situations where their participation is exploited to serve political agendas. Such practices undermine the dignity of athletes and contradict the core Olympic principle of neutrality.
The IOC has repeatedly stressed that athletes must be free to compete without political pressure, manipulation, or symbolic exploitation. Using athletes as campaign tools not only harms their personal autonomy but also damages the credibility of international sporting competitions.
Risks of Coercion and Political Propaganda
The Athletes’ Commission has also expressed serious concern that, in highly politicised environments, athletes may be coerced by state authorities into participating in events against their will. In such cases, athletes risk being transformed into symbols of political propaganda rather than competitors evaluated on merit and performance.
This coercion places athletes in vulnerable positions, exposing them to international scrutiny, reputational harm, and potential sanctions. The IOC warns that politicised events blur the line between sport and state-sponsored messaging, ultimately eroding trust in global sporting institutions.
Threats to Sporting Integrity and Anti-Doping Compliance
Russia’s History of Systematic Doping Violations
The IOC has highlighted long-standing concerns regarding Russia’s record on anti-doping compliance. Investigations over the past decade revealed widespread and systematic doping practices involving athletes, laboratories, and state institutions. These violations have had lasting consequences for the credibility of Russian sport on the international stage.
Such a history raises serious questions about the integrity of any competition organised outside the established framework of international sports governance and anti-doping oversight.
2014 Sochi Winter Olympics Doping Scandal
The 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi marked one of the most significant doping scandals in modern sporting history. Independent investigations confirmed the manipulation of samples and anti-doping processes, leading to sanctions, athlete disqualifications, and long-term reputational damage.
This scandal remains a critical reference point in the IOC’s assessment of current initiatives, reinforcing concerns that athlete health, fairness, and equal competition cannot be guaranteed without strict adherence to international anti-doping standards.
WADA’s Concerns Over the Friendship Games
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has recently voiced strong concerns over Russia’s plans to host the so-called Friendship Games. According to WADA, these events are not governed by the World Anti-Doping Code, creating significant risks for athlete safety and fair play.
WADA has warned that it cannot verify the existence or credibility of any anti-doping programme associated with these competitions, urging all Code signatories to refrain from supporting or endorsing the events.
Non-Compliance of RUSADA and Lack of WADA-Accredited Laboratories
Compounding these concerns is the fact that Russia’s National Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) remains non-compliant with the World Anti-Doping Code. In addition, Russia currently lacks a WADA-accredited anti-doping laboratory, further undermining confidence in its ability to conduct clean and fair competitions.
Public trust in Russia’s anti-doping framework remains extremely low, making any unofficial sporting event particularly problematic from a regulatory and ethical standpoint.
Reasons Behind the IOC’s Rejection of Politicised Sport
Violation of the Olympic Charter and UN Decisions
The IOC’s rejection of politicised sporting initiatives is rooted in clear violations of the Olympic Charter and repeated United Nations General Assembly resolutions. These international frameworks affirm the autonomy of sport and explicitly reject political interference in athletic competition.
By disregarding these principles, politicised events undermine decades of global consensus aimed at preserving sport as a neutral and unifying force.
Disregard for Athlete Welfare and Fair Competition
At the heart of the IOC’s position is the protection of athletes. Politicised sporting events jeopardise athlete welfare, expose competitors to unfair conditions, and compromise the integrity of competition. Without neutral governance and enforceable rules, fairness and safety cannot be guaranteed.
The IOC maintains that any sporting initiative that fails to prioritise athlete rights and equal conditions is fundamentally incompatible with Olympic values.
Conclusion – Preserving the Integrity and Neutrality of Global Sport
The IOC’s strong stance against the politicisation of sport reflects its commitment to safeguarding Olympic values, athlete protection, and fair competition. Sport must remain a space where excellence is determined by performance, not political alignment.
By upholding the Olympic Charter and aligning with international legal and ethical standards, the IOC continues to defend the independence and integrity of global sport. Preserving neutrality is essential not only for athletes but also for maintaining public trust in the Olympic Movement and the unifying power of sport worldwide.
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