Russian President Vladimir Putin criticised the former IOC leadership as "shameful" and "cowardly" during a Kremlin ceremony honoring boxers, appearing to target policies from Thomas Bach's presidency. Bach stepped down in 2025 and was succeeded by Kirsty Coventry. Putin condemned bans that prevented Russian and Belarusian athletes from competing under national flags after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine and referenced the fallout from the 2014 Sochi doping scandal. He urged the new IOC leadership and international federations to move past that legacy and also praised Russia's Paralympic team for finishing third in Italy.
Putin Slams Former IOC Leadership as 'Shameful, Cowardly' and Urges New Direction
FILE PHOTO: Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a meeting with Governor of the Penza region Oleg Melnichenko in Moscow, Russia, April 20, 2026. Sputnik/Alexander Kazakov/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday sharply criticised the previous leadership of the International Olympic Committee, calling its actions "shameful" and "cowardly," and said he hoped for a different approach from the officials now overseeing the Olympic movement. He made the remarks during a Kremlin ceremony honouring Russian boxers.
Context And Criticism
Putin did not name individuals but appeared to be referring to measures enacted under Thomas Bach, who stepped down as IOC president in 2025 and was succeeded by Zimbabwean former Olympic swimmer Kirsty Coventry. During Bach's tenure, the IOC barred Russian and Belarusian athletes from competing under their national flags at the Olympics following Russia's February 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Bach's presidency also included the fallout from the Russian state-backed doping scandal linked to the 2014 Sochi Games, which led to many Russian athletes competing as neutrals in later Games.
"The shameful, I would say cowardly, politically motivated behaviour of the previous leadership of the International Olympic Committee has caused enormous damage to the Olympic movement and to the very principles of Olympism," Putin said at the Kremlin event. "I hope that the new leadership of the International Olympic Committee and the international sports federations will overcome this difficult and, as I said, shameful legacy of their predecessors, as soon as possible."
The IOC did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.
Recent Participation And Paralympic Success
A small number of Russian and Belarusian athletes were allowed to compete at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Games as neutrals, with no national flags or anthems. By contrast, a contingent from the two countries was permitted to use their flags and anthems at the subsequent Paralympic Games in Italy. Putin praised the Russian Paralympic team for finishing third in the medal table, saying their success reflected "skill, talent, and the will to win," despite a smaller delegation than many rivals.
This episode underscores ongoing tensions between sports governing bodies' sanctions and Russia's efforts to restore its international sporting status.
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