Russia Postpones World Friendship Games Indefinitely

MOSCOW, Dec 3 (Bernama-dpa) -- Russia is postponing the World Friendship Games, its rival to the Olympics, indefinitely, reported German news agency dpa.

President Vladimir Putin signed a decree on Monday stating that the Games should not take place as long as athletes and sports associations do not have free access to international competitions. The real reason is a lack of funding, according to analysts.            

The internationally isolated sporting superpower had originally planned the Games for September in Yekaterinburg. They were intended as a replacement for Russian athletes who were not allowed to compete at the Paris 2024 Olympics due to Moscow's war in Ukraine. 

Only around a dozen Russian athletes were allowed to compete in France under a neutral flag.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has criticised the Russian rival Games and has called on its member federations not to take part. 

--BERNAMA-dpa