Global sport cannot hope to develop without the participation of Russian athletes, according to Sports Minister of Russia Oleg Matytsin.
He added that ties must be maintained between his country and international federations, despite the sweeping current bans imposed on Russia, RT reported.
“Russia is an important part of international sports. Each committee (in Russia) is doing everything possible to maintain dialogue with the international community,” Matytsin said at an assembly of Russian Olympic officials in Moscow on Tuesday, as quoted by Match TV.
“We see from the international community an understanding that without Russia the development of international sports is impossible. This aspect needs to be given maximum attention, because 2024 is just around the corner,” added the minister, in reference to the Paris Olympic Games in just over 18 months’ time.
Russian and Belarusian athletes remain sidelined from major competitions in a wide variety of sports following an International Olympic Committee (IOC) recommendation issued in February because of the conflict in Ukraine.
