Russia and China share a joint stance against the politicization of
sport and demonstrative boycotts by some Western countries and support
Olympic values, said Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday. "We are standing together with China against the politicization of
sport and demonstrative boycotts," said Putin in a video meeting with
athletes of Russia's Winter Olympic team heading for Beijing. "We are supporting traditional Olympic values, first of all, equality and justice." Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said on Wednesday that
Beijing speaks highly of Putin's active support for the Winter Olympic
Games next month. Like most countries in the world, China and Russia firmly oppose the
politicization of sport and adhere to the Olympic spirit of solidarity,
fraternity, fair competition and mutual understanding, Zhao told a news
conference in Beijing. Putin said he wished Russian athletes "good luck, health and
triumphant performances" at the Games. Russia will send its Olympic
delegation of 461 people, including 212 athletes. Russian athletes are allowed to compete as neutrals, without the
Russian flag or anthem, due to the accusation of a "state-backed doping
program" at the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi, a claim that has been
repeatedly denied by Moscow. "We at home will be there to support you, to be proud of your successes," Putin said. Plans of more cooperation Andrey Denisov, Russia's ambassador to China, said Putin will
participate in the opening ceremony at the invitation of Chinese
President Xi Jinping. Putin told Russian athletes during the video meeting that he would
have a meeting with Xi before the opening ceremony of the Games. "We will certainly outline new plans for cooperation, take into
account our previous agreements on the organization of the Year of
Russian-Chinese cooperation in the sphere of physical culture and
sports," Putin said. He also said one of the most well-known methods for the mass
popularization of sports is the organization of large-scale
international sports tournaments. "I believe them to be the most important in terms of the involvement
of people in sports and the strengthening of friendship between the
peoples," Putin said. The United States and some Western countries said they would not send officials to attend the Games. In response, China has slammed the West's move as a political ploy that runs counter to the Olympic Charter. In a news conference last week, Zhao said China had granted visas to
the US team, which comprises both athletes and administration officials. The US delegation for the Beijing Winter Olympics comprises a large
number of government officials, including those from the Department of
State, and many hold diplomatic or service passports, he added.
Putin highlights joint stance with China against politicization of sport
Editor:阮梓峰
Source:China Daily
Updated:2022-01-28 17:02:53
Source:China Daily
Updated:2022-01-28 17:02:53
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