Zelenskyy after IOC talks: Sports must stay apart from Russian evil
Photo: Volodymyr Zelenskyy (x.com/ZelenskyyUa)
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a conversation with the newly elected president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Kirsty Coventry. During the dialogue, the parties discussed the key challenges Ukrainian sports are facing because of the war, the president reported on his official X account.
Russia as destroyer of Olympic principles
Zelenskyy congratulated Coventry on her election to the high position, wished her success, and thanked the IOC for its consistent support of Ukraine. He emphasized that in the conditions of full-scale war, Russia has become the greatest destroyer of the principles of Olympism.
"Since the start of the full-scale war, more than 600 Ukrainian athletes and coaches have been killed by Russian attacks, and hundreds of our sports facilities have been destroyed," the president of Ukraine stressed.
Sport as propaganda
Zelenskyy also emphasized that Russia turns any appearance on the international stage into a tool of propaganda.
"Every sporting event that Russia manages to reach, it always tries to twist for the benefit of its state propaganda—propaganda of hatred and war. That is why it is crucial to maintain distance between the sports movement and this Russian evil," the Ukrainian leader stated.
Kirsty Coventry (photo: olympics.com)
IOC's position and 2026 Winter Olympics
According to the head of state, the conversation also touched upon preparations for the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Italy.
"Not only Ukraine, but many other countries defending life equally count on the IOC to maintain the principled stance it upheld during the Paris Games toward aggressive Russia and its accomplice, Belarus," the president noted.
Invitation for Coventry to Ukraine
At the end of the conversation, Zelenskyy invited the head of the IOC to visit Ukraine.
"We are ready to share all necessary information. I will be glad to welcome Ms. Kirsty to Ukraine," he concluded.
