Russia names sanctioned minister as Olympics chief amid international isolation
- Mikhail Degtyaryov, sanctioned by the West, was named the new head of the Russian Olympic Committee on December 13, 2024.
- His election comes amid Russia's exclusion from major international sporting events due to its military actions in Ukraine.
- This move highlights the ongoing challenges and controversies surrounding Russian sports and the country's attempts to re-enter the global Olympic movement.
On December 13, 2024, Russia appointed Mikhail Degtyaryov, a sports minister sanctioned by the West, as the new head of the Russian Olympic Committee. The election came after the unexpected resignation of the previous president, Stanislav Pozdnyakov, in October. This development occurs amid intense scrutiny of Russian sports, as the country faces isolation from international competitions due to its ongoing military aggression in Ukraine. As a member of the right-wing Liberal Democratic Party, Degtyaryov has been a fervent supporter of the Kremlin and its actions in Ukraine. His previous sanctions, imposed by both the European Union and the United States, stem from his staunch backing of separatist movements in Ukraine and for facilitating conscription of Russian citizens to fight there. Furthermore, a state-sponsored doping scandal has already marred Russia's Olympic standings, resulting in the loss of numerous medals and exclusion of its athletes from the upcoming Paris Games, where only fifteen were granted permission to compete as neutrals. Degtyaryov, emphasizing the need for reconciliation, called for an end to aggressive rhetoric towards international sports authorities and claimed that many IOC members wished to see Russia reintegrated into the Olympic movement. Despite this approach, Russia has retaliated against the IOC, previously accusing it of neo-Nazism, while discussions about hosting rival games, dubbed 'Friendship Games,' have been delayed. The ongoing turmoil indicates a complex relationship between Russia and international sporting bodies as it strives to regain its footing in a globally competitive environment.