Putin Condemns Restrictions on Russian Athletes, Calls Them Violation of Rights and Democratic Principles

Moscow, The Gulf Observer: Russian President Vladimir Putin has strongly criticised restrictions imposed by several Western countries on Russian athletes, describing them as a gross violation of athletes’ rights, international legal principles and democratic institutions.

Speaking during a meeting with members of the Russian Cabinet on Thursday, Putin said that the International Olympic Committee (IOC), several international sports federations and the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) had been making decisions in accordance with the Olympic Charter and its principles, including calls for Russian athletes to be allowed to participate in international competitions.

However, he expressed disappointment that several countries continued imposing what he described as illegal and politically motivated restrictions on Russian sports despite these decisions.

Putin stressed that such measures constituted a flagrant violation of legal obligations, court decisions and the fundamental principles of democratic institutions.

According to TASS, the controversy has intensified following announcements by the national ice hockey federations of Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland and the Czech Republic that they would refuse to play against the Russian national team at the World Championship, following the CAS decision concerning the participation of Russian athletes in international competitions.

Latvia has also indicated that its national team would not compete against Russia at the World Championship after the country’s parliament voted against such participation.

Restrictions on Russian and Belarusian Ice Hockey Teams

The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) suspended Russia and Belarus from international competitions in February 2022 following developments in Ukraine.

Russian national ice hockey teams were subsequently excluded from the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Italy. In 2025, IIHF President Luc Tardif told TASS that the decision had been taken by the IOC and that the IIHF had no authority over the matter.

On July 30, the IIHF announced an extension of the suspension of Russian teams from international competitions until 2027.

The decision covered several major tournaments scheduled for 2027, including the IIHF Men’s World Championship, Women’s World Championship, World Junior Championship, and Under-18 men’s and women’s world championships.

In early September, the Russian Ice Hockey Federation (RHF) filed an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne, challenging the IIHF decision to extend the suspension of Russian national teams.

The issue of Russian athletes’ participation in international sporting events continues to generate debate over the application of international sports regulations, the autonomy of sporting organisations and the role of political considerations in global competitions.