Islam Makhachev is accusing the International Olympic Committee of engaging in “dirty politics” after banning Russia from competing at this year’s Summer Games.
A handful of Russian competitors were allowed to compete in Paris, but only as individual neutral athletes. That’s because Russia is still banned from being represented at the international multi-sport event due to its ongoing invasion of Ukraine. However, even before that, Russia was barred from competing at the Olympics due to widespread violations of anti-doping regulations, including an attempt to sabotage ongoing investigations by the manipulation of computer data.
As a result, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) banned the Russian Federation from all major sporting events, including the Olympic Games, for four years.
Makhachev, who has been plenty vocal about a particular moment at this year’s Olympic opening ceremony, spoke out on the IOC’s decision to punish Russian athletes for the government’s actions.
“I enjoyed watching wrestling these days,” Makhachev said on Instagram. “It’s a pity that dirty politics got into such a courageous sport,” Makhachev said. “People who gave their whole lives to this sport and got a chance to compete at the Olympic Games are forced to stay home and watch the Olympics on TV…
“The double standards of dirty countries deprive our athletes of what they have been striving for all their lives.”
Islam Makhachev speaks out about Russia being banned from the 2024 Olympic Games:
"I enjoyed watching wrestling these days. It's a pity that dirty politics got into such a courageous sport.
People who gave their whole lives to this sport and got a chance to compete at the… pic.twitter.com/7nioRBHzcw
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) August 11, 2024
Islam Makhachev Slams Controversial Opening Ceremony Segment
It’s certainly not the first time the UFC lightweight world champion has had something negative to say about this year’s Olympic Games. Not long after a grossly misunderstood depiction of the feast of Dionysus was accused of mocking Christianity, Makhachev chimed and called the display “disgusting.” He even canceled his plans to attend this year’s festivities.
“To be honest, I watched some highlights of the Olympics opening ceremony,” Makhachev said. “It was disgusting. This is disrespect for all religions, for all human values, in general. Honestly, I even planned to go to the Olympics, but after what I saw, I don’t want to go there.”
Islam Makhachev bashes the "disgusting" Olympics opening ceremony:
"I watched some highlights of the Olympics opening ceremony. It was disgusting. This is disrespect for all religions, for all human values in general.
Honestly, I even planned to go to the Olympics but after… pic.twitter.com/dyDyE038sp
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) July 28, 2024
Is it time to allow Russia back in the Olympic Games, or has the country burned too many bridges with the rest of the world?
