Pozner proposed to stop performing at the Olympics under national flags

On February 26, journalist and TV presenter Vladimir Pozner expressed hope for an early separation of sports and politics and called the abandonment of national flags at the Olympic Games an excellent decision.

"I really hope <...> that sports and politics will finally be able to separate, although it is very difficult. <...> I understand that it is pleasant for people in the stands to wave their flag. All this is wonderful until it develops into chauvinism, nationalism and a sense of superiority over others. But this is disgusting," Posner said in an interview with the newspaper "Soviet Sport".

In addition, Pozner said, "it would be great" to compete at the Olympics without anthems and flags, but stressed that at the same time, a team of participants from one state would "willy-nilly represent their country."

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Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on February 12 that Moscow was counting on the restoration of the full-fledged status of the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) in the international Olympic movement and was seeking the return of the rights of Russian athletes. She added that the opening of the Olympics is always a celebration of sports, which should remain a symbol of unity.

Mikhail Degtyarev, Minister of Sports and head of the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC), announced on February 25 that Russian athletes are fully preparing for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. He clarified that before the competition in the United States, the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar will be held, to which athletes from Russia have already been invited. According to him, they will perform under the national flag and with the national anthem.

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