Degtyarev cites "Putin's orders" on Russian reinstatement

Global sports is not complete without the participation of athletes from the IOC-banned country and ally Belarus, the sports minister and ROC president asserted Tuesday while welcoming the return of national symbols across global federations.

Speaking at a high-profile meeting of Russia's State Council Commission on Physical Culture and Sports, Mikhail Degtyarev contextualized the expanding sequence of international governing bodies recently dismantling their restrictive participation policies. The International Olympic Committee originally sanctioned both countries in 2022, afer Russia invaded neighbouring Ukraine, where war is ongoing, with Belarus' backing, and their athletes were forced to participate as neutrals in the Paris 2024 Summer Games and Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games.

World Gymnastics became the first federation to readmit Russia this week, a decision that came barely a month after the IOC advised international federations to readmit Belarus. However, Russia remains under scrutiny for issues such as a lack of transparency regarding its anti-doping systems.

The minister's remarks followed an announcement earlier in the day confirming that the International Federation of Muaythai Associations had cleared all Russian fighters to return to international competition under their national flag and to the tune of the country's anthem across all age categories.

"Congratulations to the whole gymnastics world, the whole wrestling world and today there is one more piece of news – Thai boxing is also fully allowed with the flag and anthem," Degtyarev stated during the commission session. "We are carrying out this work upon orders from Russian President Vladimir Putin. This work is aimed at restoring the integrity of world sports, as without Russia and Belarus, it is lacking."

Reflecting on the specific breakthrough in muaythai, Degtyarev pointed to the strong administrative relationship and successful bilateral sporting initiatives cultivated between Moscow and the world governing body.

"Thai boxing is very popular here in Russia," Degtyarev told reporters. "Recently, we met with the leadership of the International Federation of Muaythai Associations at the Ministry of Sport in Moscow. They organized a major event. A dual meet between Russia and Thailand took place in Moscow. We have good contact, and we are working with them. Common sense has prevailed. I thank this federation for a decision in favour of the integrity of sport and justice."

The sports minister used the platform to deliver a broader critique of politically motivated restrictions within the Olympic movement, positioning the latest structural decisions by federations like IFMA, World Gymnastics, and United World Wrestling as an inevitable return to regulatory equity.

"Any sanctions in sports are a path to nowhere. Discrimination must be ended," Degtyarev emphasized. "We advocate for all countries to compete regardless of the political situation. We react negatively to calls to exclude anyone from world sports. We need to return Russia and Belarus, and turn this shameful page of politically motivated sanctions."