The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Russian President Vladimir Putin are far from being on good terms, and their relationship has worsened over the last 24 hours.
In a speech on Thursday, Putin criticized the IOC for not guaranteeing spots for Russian athletes at the upcoming Summer Olympics in Paris.
"We have learned that an invitation to the Games is not an unconditional right for the best athletes. The Games themselves can be used as an instrument of political pressure against people who have nothing to do with politics," Putin said.
He continued, "Some sports leaders have simply given themselves the right to decide."
The final decision on Russia's participation in the Paris Olympics will be made at a later date. If Russian athletes are allowed to participate, it will be under strict rules, including flying a neutral flag.
Putin rejected
On Friday, the IOC responded to Putin's speech in a statement, according to AFP.
"Participation in the Olympic Games is by no means a human right. We strongly reject accusations that measures are ethnically discriminatory," the statement read.
The Summer Olympics in Paris will take place from July 26 to August 11 next year.
