Russian Deputy Sports Minister Alexei Morozov has spoken of his "regret and loss" after it was revealed that almost 70 athletes had changed their citizenships following the escalation of the country’s war in Ukraine last year.

According to Russia’s official state news agency TASS, a total of 67 Russian athletes had switched their

of Ukraine ©Getty Images"We want to raise athletes who will compete for our country," Morozov told TASS

Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) general secretary Sergei Lebedev claimed the CIS Games in Minsk were proof that "there are no and cannot be borders between states, there is no and should not be politics and discrimination".

friendship reigned in Belarus for 10 days," said Lebedev in a report by Russia’s official state news agency TASS

athletes, this was a serious test," said Russia’s Deputy Sports Minister Alexei Morozov in a report by TASS

Ukrainian Fencing Federation (UFF) President Mikhail Ilyashev has called for the technical delegate at the centre of the handshake controversy to resign over claims that he was influenced by Russia to disqualify Olha Kharlan at the Fencing World Championships.

the Olympic spirit".Russian Sports Minister Oleg Matytsin told Russia’s official state news agency TASS

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has claimed that sporting sanctions imposed against his country were a "sign of weakness" as he declared the CIS Games open.

worried, and it’s very nice that finally with our flag," Averina told Russia’s official state news agency TASS

for such peaceful battles, the richer in talents our sports country Russia will be," Pozdnyakov told TASS

A total of 2,214 athletes from 22 countries have registered to take part in the CIS Games, which started in Belarus capital Minsk today and which is due to feature a spectacular Opening Ceremony tomorrow.

Dmitry Mezentsev, State Secretary of the Union State of Belarus and Russia, told official news agency TASS

A call by the Chess Federation of Ukraine (FSHU) for their players not to shake hands with Russian or Belarusian opponents during the International Chess Federation (FIDE) World Cup and Women’s World Cup here has been called "blackmail". 

Duma on sports and physical culture chairman Dmitry Svishchev told Russia's official state news agency TASS

and will be as long as chess has existed and no recommendation will change this," Tkachev insisted to TASS

The Ukrainian Sports Ministry has lifted its ban on athletes taking part in events that feature competitors from Russia and Belarus in qualifying competitions for next year's Olympic Games in Paris. 

always said that sport is and should be out of politics," he told Russia's official state news agency TASS

Ukrainian fencer Ihor Reizlin withdrew from a bout against Russian opponent Vadim Anokhin on day five of the International Fencing Federation (FIE) Fencing World Championships in Milan, Italy.

same competitions with the Russians," said Zhurova, as reported by Russia’s official state news agency TASS

The International Sambo Federation (FIAS) are planning to seek compensation for athletes whom it loses to professional organisations such as Bellator and Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

FIAS President Vasily Shestakov told Russia's official news agency TASS that there are plans to put such

So that they act as sponsors or as lobbyists," Shestakov told TASS."

Russian Olympic gold medallist Alina Kabaeva has claimed that the lifting of the International Gymnastics Federation’s (FIG) outright ban on athletes from Russia is "not enough", insisting that they should be allowed to compete under the country’s flag.

competition should be "free from politics".Her comments reported by Russia’s official state news agency TASS

have been finalised by the FIG Executive Committee.Banned Russian gymnastics coach Irina Viner told TASS

of Russian and Belarusian athletes is complete due to a drop in the competitive level," Titov told TASS

Russian cyclists fear missing next year’s Olympics in Paris after reportedly being required to sign a document condemning the war in Ukraine to be allowed to return to the global stage.

was when filling out certain declarations," Koypanets told Russia’s official state news agency TASS

they sent us such a declaration that we condemn the SVO [special military operation]," Kucheryavy told TASS

Poland has been stripped of the right to host wrestling's U20 World Championships next month, due to not providing visas to all participants.

moving was "the failure to fulfil contractual obligations to provide visa support,", as reported by TASS

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is set to come under new pressure to further investigate Yelena Isinbayeva’s links to the Russian military after the country’s Sports minister publicly criticised her for claiming they were just "nominal" roles.

that take place in your native country in this way," Matytsin told Russia’s official state news agency TASS

Russian Sports Minister Oleg Matytsin says he believes the country’s athletes retain a chance of participating at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

partners - with International Federations (IFs)," as reported by Russia’s official state news agency TASS

Kazan is "70 per cent ready" to host an Olympic Games according to Vitaly Mutko, the former Russian Sports Minister.

within the commercial economy as director general of DOM.RF, told Russian official state news agency TASS