Degtyarev – about the decision to restore the ROC: “This will happen after the Olympics. We have done everything from a legal point of view.”

The Minister of Sports of the Russian Federation, Chairman of the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) Mikhail Degtyarev said that the decision of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to restore the status of the ROC could happen after the 2026 Olympic Games in Italy.

In 2023, the IOC suspended the ROC due to the inclusion of the Olympic Councils of the DPR, LPR, Zaporozhye and Kherson regions into the organization. Degtyarev later stated that the IOC received a new edition of the ROC charter, which is in accordance with the Olympic Charter.

— When will there be a decision on restoring OCD? I think that in any case this will happen after the Olympics, which starts in early February. All governing bodies usually gather there. We won’t make any guesses for now, because after all, the decision no longer depends on us. Legally, we have done everything.

So you asked what is the difference between (Thomas) Bach and Kirsty Coventry, the old and new president of the IOC. The old one brushed off Russia. I caught several months of his reign – it was just a disgrace. I like Kirsty Coventry’s approach. Firstly, public rhetoric, and secondly, deeds. Our request was immediately put into action,” Degtyarev told RBC.

Russian water polo players have been admitted to international competitions since 2026. This is the first team sport in which Russians are allowed to take part in senior competitions after being suspended.

— Most team sports are banned. The first international start in water polo is in April. We expect other decisions on implementation during January and February, when, according to the calendar, executive committees in most Olympic federations will begin to take place. In parallel, we are working with the IOC to restore the ROC to its rights. After which, in a second step, we will be able to demand the same decisions for adult national teams,” the minister added.

The Olympic Games will take place from 6 to 22 February in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo.