The Collapse of the 'Alternative Olympics'. Putin Postpones the 'Friendship Games' Indefinitely.

The President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, has postponed the holding of the propaganda competitions 'Friendship Games' indefinitely. The first 'Friendship Games', which were dubbed the 'Alternative Olympics' and were supposed to feature the world's best athletes, were scheduled for 2024, but they have been postponed to the following year. Putin's decree also entails the postponement of the international competitions 'World Friendship Games', planned for 2023.

The new president of the International Fencing Federation is the Russian Alisher Usmanov, who defeated the Swede Otto Drakenberg. Usmanov has held the presidency since 2022 but stepped down after European Union sanctions. He is also on the sanctions lists of other countries due to his support for Russian aggression.

Ukraine has appealed to the president of the International Association of World Games with a letter urging the preservation of the ban on the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes in the competitions in 2025. It emphasizes the continuation of sanctions against Russia and Belarus until the cessation of aggression and the restoration of peace. Ukraine hopes for support and solidarity with the country's sports movement.