Article by Romeo Ene – Published Monday, 30 March 2026, 10:04 / Updated on Monday, 30 March 2026 10:13
Vladimir Putin (73), the president of Russia, claims that his country is ready to host future editions of the Olympic Games. The announcement comes in the context in which Russia is involved in the military conflict that it has started since February 24, 2022 in Ukraine.
At present, Russia is excluded from major international sporting competitions due to the invasion.
Little congratulated the Russian Olympic Committee on its 115th anniversary and explained that Russia is willing to host the Olympic Games in the future.
Vladimir Putin: “I would like to mention that our country was among the founders of the International Olympic Committee”
“Dear friends, I congratulate you on the 115th anniversary of the establishment of the Russian Olympic Committee. I would like to mention that our country was among the founders of the International Olympic Committee and, since 1900, participated in the re-established Olympic Games and hosted them twice – in 1980 in Moscow and in 2014 in Sochi.
Both times, they were held at the highest organizational and creative level, a fact recognized by the IOC.
I want to emphasize that Russia is also open to hosting the Summer and Winter Olympic Games in the future and is ready to contribute to saving the genuine ideals of Olympism,” Putin explained, according to tass.com.
Currently, the Russian national football team remains suspended from FIFA and UEFA competitions. Can only play friendly matches. The IOC allowed limited participation of Russian athletes as neutrals, without flag and anthem.
A full return to international football remains unlikely in the context of staunch opposition in Europe and continued war.
Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022
Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine began on February 24, 2022, but the conflict has older roots. In 2014, Russia annexed Crimea and supported separatists in eastern Ukraine, in the Donbas region.
In 2022, Russia launched a full-scale invasion. He attacked from the north, east and south, including towards the capital Kyiv. The original plan failed, Ukraine repulsed the attack from the north.
The war continues today and is the largest in Europe since World War II.
