Islam Makhachev criticized the International Olympic Committee for banning Russian athletes from competing at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
Russia’s war with Ukraine has had an adverse impact on the country’s athletes, who have suffered from a governmental policies which are outside of their control. The rules meant some fighters were prevented, reducing the pool, while others had to compete as ‘individual neutral athletes.’ Makhachev was also unhappy with the opening ceremony.
There was mass criticism from Russia and conservative groups after the use of a drag queen and the parody of ‘The Last Supper.’ There was a perception that the Games ridiculed Orthodox Christianity, so Makhachev demanded that Russia host the Games instead. He has called out the Games for using politics to punish athletes.
“I enjoyed watching wrestling these days. It’s a pity that dirty politics got into such a courageous sport. People who gave their whole lives to this sport and got a chance to compete at the Olympic Games are forced to stay home and watch the Olympics on TV…The double standards of dirty countries deprive our athletes of what they have been striving for all their lives,” Makhachev stated
Reaction
Winning medals with countries absent is not the same. Takes the shine away.
— SaltySpeedy (@SaltySpeedyB) August 13, 2024
The war is not the reason Russia has been banned lol they were constantly getting caught using PEDs
— Logan L3ghair (@L3ghair) August 12, 2024
100% true
— Sean Gayland (@expertmma97) August 12, 2024