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2024 World Friendship Games
2024 World Friendship Games logo
Host cityMoscow, Yekaterinburg
CountryRussia
Opening cityMoscow
Opening15 September 2024
Closing29 September 2024
Main venueLuzhniki Stadium
Websitehttps://games2024.ru/en

The 2024 World Friendship Games (Russian: Всемирные игры дружбы 2024, Vsemirnye igry druzhby 2024) – international multi-sport event, which will be held in Russia from September 15 to 29, 2024.

History

Since the escalation of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine in 2022, Russia was kicked out from almost every sporting competition, and Russian athletes have been unable to display their national emblem and flag directly.[1] The Russian government hastily announced its interest to in organizing competitions for the country's top athletes with the possibility for other countries to participate.[2] In May 2023, Russia confirmed it will host the second edition of Friendship Games in 2024, shortly after the Summer Olympics in Paris.[3]

Event concept and format

On May 3, 2023, Minister of Sport of Russia Oleg Matytsin announced plans to hold the Games at a meeting of the Government of Russia.[4][5][6]

The games will help develop new formats of sports cooperation. Participation in event is guaranteed to athletes from any country without restrictions or discrimination.

The Organizing Committee of the Games was formed in October 2023 on behalf of the Russian Government.

The total prize money offered amounts to 4.6 billion rubles.[7][8][9]

International reaction

IOC Statement

On November 14, 2023, the IOC, represented by James Macleod, director of relations with National Olympic Committees, made recommendations to the committees regarding possible participation in the competitions:[10]

Considering the increasing politicization of world sport, we would ask that all NOCs exercise caution with respect to this initiative. Indeed, any NOC involvement in the World Friendship Games would not only go against the IOC EB's recommendation of 25 February 2022 with respect to international sporting events being held in Russia but also against the Olympic Movement's collective aim of maintaining the independence and autonomy of sport.

The Organizing Committee of the 2024 World Friendship Games responded to the IOC statement, noting that the purpose of the upcoming Games was never either confrontation with the IOC or the creation of competitions in opposition to the Olympic movement:[11][12]

We are surprised by the tough position the IOC and some of its senior executives have taken with regard to the World Friendship Games being held in Russia. Our goal was never confrontation with the IOC or holding competitions that went against the Olympic Movement.

The World Friendship Games were meant to be a harmonious addition to the international calendar of sports tournaments. For Russian athletes, who have been barred from major international competitions, the World Friendship Games will be the most important athletic event in recent years, providing them with an opportunity to participate in a representative international sports forum alongside the strongest foreign athletes, giving them motivation and support to continue with their active professional careers.

Even in the most difficult times sports served as a platform for unification, a tool of mutual understanding and good relations.

General Assembly of the United Nations

On November 21, 2023, the Games were discussed at a meeting of the UN General Assembly. IOC president Thomas Bach said it was too early to talk about the consequences of the Games, but different options were being considered.[13]

Russian deputy permanent representative at the UN Maria Zabolotskaya spoke about the inadmissibility of any discrimination against athletes at competitions and invited the world to the Friendship Games.[14][15]

Brand

Logo of the Games

The logo of the 2024 World Friendship Games was presented in Saint Petersburg as part of the Russia-Africa summit, which took place from July 27 to 28, 2023.[16][17]

Cities

Moscow

Most of the sports programmes, as well as the opening and closing ceremonies, will take place in Moscow.[7] The Luzhniki area, in addition to the sports part, will become the center of the planned cultural program of the Games. Hospitality houses of the participating countries and other activities for guests and delegations will be located here.

Yekaterinburg

Competitions in swimming, synchronized swimming, diving, artistic gymnastics, athletics and judo are planned in Yekaterinburg. All competitions will be held at existing sports facilities; the construction of new facilities is not planned.[18]

Sports

The sports programme will include 33 sports:

In addition, mas-wrestling and sumo will be held as demonstration sports.[19]

Other sports events planned by Russia in 2024

References

  1. ^ "Pride and propaganda: Russia's reimagined sports world". www.playthegame.org. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
  2. ^ History repeats itself as Russia reveals plans to launch World Friendship Games in 2024
  3. ^ "Russia to launch Friendship Games after 40-year gap, sports minister says". www.reuters.com. Reuters. 4 May 2023. Retrieved 16 September 2023.
  4. ^ "History repeats itself as Russia reveals plans to launch World Friendship Games in 2024". Inside the Games. 3 May 2023. Archived from the original on 14 May 2023. Retrieved 3 May 2023.
  5. ^ "Russia to launch Friendship Games after 40-year gap, sports minister says". Reuters. 4 May 2023. Archived from the original on 5 November 2023. Retrieved 4 May 2023.
  6. ^ "Russia announces plans to stage 'World Friendship Games' after 2024 Olympics". BBC. 4 May 2023. Archived from the original on 20 September 2023. Retrieved 4 May 2023.
  7. ^ a b "2024 World Friendship Games to be hosted by Moscow, Yekaterinburg". TASS. 19 October 2023. Archived from the original on 20 October 2023. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
  8. ^ "Russia counters Paris 2024 with its own Games". Marca. 19 October 2023. Archived from the original on 7 November 2023. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
  9. ^ "Russia inviting 4 nations to world event just before Olympics". ESPN. 27 July 2023. Archived from the original on 3 August 2023. Retrieved 27 July 2023.
  10. ^ "IOC and the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations caution about World Friendship Games". Inside The Games. 14 November 2023. Archived from the original on 18 November 2023. Retrieved 14 November 2023.
  11. ^ "World Friendship Games organizers never wanted to do battle with IOC". TASS. 15 November 2023. Archived from the original on 19 November 2023. Retrieved 15 November 2023.
  12. ^ "Moscow responds to the IOC". francsjeux. 16 November 2023. Archived from the original on 22 November 2023. Retrieved 16 November 2023.
  13. ^ "IOC chief says it's too early to talk about sanctions for taking part in Friendship Games". TASS. 21 November 2023.
  14. ^ "Russia and IOC clash at the UN before member states pass Olympic Truce for Paris Games". The Associated Press. 21 November 2023. Archived from the original on 22 November 2023. Retrieved 21 November 2023.
  15. ^ "Russia and IOC clash at the UN before member states pass Olympic Truce for Paris Games". The Washington Post. 21 November 2023.
  16. ^ "Оргкомитет Всемирных игр дружбы представил логотип турнира" [The organizing committee of the World Friendship Games presented the tournament logo]. rsport.ria (in Russian). 27 July 2023. Archived from the original on 14 August 2023. Retrieved 27 August 2023.
  17. ^ "Sports at the Russia–Africa Forum: World Friendship Games, a race and football stars". Summitafrica. 20 July 2023. Archived from the original on 22 July 2023. Retrieved 20 July 2023.
  18. ^ "World Friendship Games to be hosted by Moscow, Yekaterinburg in 2024 - decree". interfax. 19 October 2023. Archived from the original on 22 November 2023. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
  19. ^ "Оргкомитет одобрил спортивную программу Всемирных Игры Дружбы" [The Organizing Committee approved the sports program of the World Friendship Games]. games2024.ru (in Russian). 29 November 2023. Archived from the original on 4 December 2023.

External links

Official website of the 2024 World Friendship Games

Olympic Games scandals and controversies
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