ROC President Stanislav Pozdnyakov claimed that the "artificially created conditions" to exclude athletes from the country from international competitions and change their citizenship failed to bear fruit ©Getty Images

Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) President Stanislav Pozdnyakov claimed that the "artificially created conditions" to exclude athletes from the country from international competitions and change their citizenship failed to bear fruit, during his end of year message.

Pozdnyakov also congratulated the Russian athletes who "won the largest number of medals" at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics.

"Unity, in my opinion, is the main result and that invaluable baggage with which we meet the coming year," Pozdnyakov said.

"Russian sport has managed to adequately respond to all challenges, to ensure the training process and competitive practice at the proper level.

"In artificially created conditions of exclusion from international competitions, many attempts were made to lure our leading athletes under the flags of other countries, to change sports citizenship.

"Nothing came of this, and without Russia, as it turned out, the Olympic movement faced global problems."

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) recommended that athletes from Russia and Belarus be excluded from international sport after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine last February.

While most of the International Federations are still following the IOC recommendations, some like the International Boxing Association has lifted its ban despite the ongoing war.

At the recently held Olympic Summit, the IOC and its President Thomas Bach has entertained a proposal to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete as neutrals at Olympic Council of Asia qualifying events for Paris 2024.

Stanislav Pozdnyakov congratulated the Russian athletes who
Stanislav Pozdnyakov congratulated the Russian athletes who "won the largest number of medals" at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics ©Getty Images

However, its said that sanctions and a ban on the national symbols should remain in place.

Pozdnyakov also added that "common sense" will prevail over "political games" in the New Year.

"Therefore, I am convinced that common sense and universal values will prevail over political games to please the interests of individual states and governments.

"And such events as the International Forum of Young Olympians or the 7th Summer International Sports Games "Children of Asia" with the participation of 1,300 young athletes from thirteen countries clearly demonstrate our country's openness to constructive dialogue and the implementation of joint projects for the benefit of future generations of world sports.

"Undoubtedly, we will have intensive joint work in the coming year.

"On behalf of the Russian Olympic Committee, I congratulate you on the coming New Year!

"I wish you all good Siberian health, new successes and achievements and, as the Olympic Charter says, joy from efforts in the name of our common cause!"