"If Putin calls": is Sebastian Coe, the main enemy of Russian sports, backing down?

The head of World Athletics Sebastian Coe, who is among the candidates for the post of president of the IOC, estimated the likelihood of the return of Russian athletes to international competitions in the event of a peace treaty between the Russian Federation and Ukraine.

— If hypothetically between Russia and Ukraine signed a peace agreement, and you became the president of the IOC, would you then consider a scenario in which Russia could return and participate in competitions?

— It is not for me to develop peace treaties. In this case, you will have to treat it very carefully. Obviously, the world is an unpredictable and complex place. All conflicts end at the negotiating table.

If a situation comes, and I hope it will, when a peace agreement is reached that will satisfy both sides, if it is reached... it is much better when people perform in your sport, and not sit idly by.

— Will you pick up the phone if Putin calls?

— Of course. You would have taken it too. It is necessary to have a dialogue with everyone," the Inside The Games portal quotes the gravedigger of Russian athletics.

Meanwhile, the Olympic champion in speed skating, State Duma deputy Svetlana Zhurova believes that US President Donald Trump will not be able to directly influence the election of the head of the International Olympic Committee.

Recall that the current IOC President Thomas Bach decided not to participate in the elections last year. The new head of the organization will be elected in March.

"I think that Donald Trump's position in relation to European countries cannot affect the election of the president of the International Olympic Committee. This could be considered as an option only if some American was nominated, because, usually, they prefer that the IOC president be from Europe. Europeans have more chances in this situation, so Kou and Samaranch (Junior — Ed.) look like certain leaders.

But then we need to look at which of them will agree with the American sponsoring companies. Which of them will present a more convincing program to achieve an increase in the number of IOC sponsors. And in this aspect, Trump will probably be able to influence the situation in some way, if, for example, he says that he will throw in some number of sponsors. And the IOC absolutely needs it."

In turn, the International Bodybuilding Federation (IFBB) has confirmed that Russians will be able to compete at the European Championship-2025 under the flag of their country, the Russian Bodybuilding Federation reported.:

"On February 24, the Russian national team received a documented invitation from the International Bodybuilding Federation to participate in the European Championship. The IFBB management has confirmed that Russians will be able to compete in this tournament with the flag and anthem of their country according to the decision of the international federation of July 8, 2024. The Russian Bodybuilding Federation has already formed a team for the European Championship, which included about 200 athletes. The list of the national team has been sent to the IFBB, and an invitation has already arrived from the international federation for the entire Russian national team to apply for entry visas to Spain."

Until July last year, Russian athletes could perform with a flag and anthem at all international competitions, with the exception of the World and European Championships. The Bodybuilding and Fitness World Championship will be held from April 30 to May 5 in Spanish Santa Susanna.

Let's hope that the Spanish authorities, on command from above, will not start engaging in "amateur activities" and will implement the IFBB recommendations.