Russian sports minister says Moscow, Ankara to deepen sport cooperation, plan joint tournaments

Russia and Türkiye are planning to expand cooperation in sports and increase the number of joint projects, Russian Sports Minister Mikhail Degtyarev said, citing strong mutual interest between the two countries.

In an interview with Anadolu, Degtyarev said cooperation between the two countries currently spans 22 sports disciplines and is expected to broaden further due to shared interests.

“There is mutual interest in this area. In this way, we will enrich each other,” he said, noting that Russian coaches are also working actively in Türkiye as part of ongoing collaboration.

Deepening sports cooperation

Recalling his recent visit to Türkiye, Degtyarev said he held meetings with Youth and Sports Minister Osman Askin Bak and World Ethnosport Union President Necmeddin Bilal Erdogan, describing the talks as productive and part of a growing tradition of regular dialogue with Turkish counterparts.

He said both sides agreed in principle to sign a roadmap at a future meeting outlining the organization of joint tournaments for the 2026–2028 period, adding that such initiatives would further institutionalize bilateral cooperation in sports.

Degtyarev also invited Turkish officials to major economic forums held in St. Petersburg and Vladivostok attended by Russian President Vladimir Putin, where sports-related strategic sessions are organized and sports diplomacy is discussed, particularly with partner countries.

In addition, he invited Turkish representatives to the “Russia: Country of Sport” International Sports Forum and proposed their participation in the “One Run” international half-marathon, a global event held simultaneously in multiple countries.

Athlete exchanges increasing

Highlighting athlete exchanges, Degtyarev said around 1,700 Russian athletes are expected to compete in events in Türkiye this year, compared to nearly 950 last year, while Turkish athletes also regularly take part in competitions organized in Russia.

“We are always pleased to see Turkish athletes in Russia,” he said, noting that competitors from both countries participate in events across disciplines such as martial arts and archery, the latter of which he described as a strong field for Türkiye.

Touching on challenges facing Russian athletes, Degtyarev said athletics is among the most heavily affected disciplines by international restrictions, with many competitors unable to travel abroad.

However, he noted that Russia continues to host international competitions and extends invitations to foreign athletes, including those from Türkiye, who respond positively.

Traditional sports cooperation

He also underscored the importance of cooperation in traditional sports, expressing appreciation for Bilal Erdogan’s role in promoting them globally and bringing together stakeholders working to preserve cultural heritage.

Russia, he said, considers traditional sports an integral part of cultural identity and supports their development at the state level.

‘Double standards’ and Olympic Truce

On international sports governance, Degtyarev criticized what he described as “double standards” applied to Russian athletes and argued that competitors should not be subject to sanctions due to political developments.

On the “Olympic Truce,” Degtyarev said the principle had been violated “from a legal standpoint,” arguing that recent US and Israeli actions against Iran ran counter to the truce, while Russia had previously faced sanctions over alleged violations in 2022.

He said Moscow has been consistently appealing to the International Olympic Committee on the issue, stressing that the country’s goal is to ensure the full participation of Russian athletes in international competitions under their national teams.

Domestic participation targets

He also highlighted domestic sports participation, saying 62% of Russia’s population regularly engages in physical activity, with President Vladimir Putin setting a target to raise the figure to 70% by 2030.

“This means people should engage in physical activity at least three times a week for a total of three to four hours,” he said, adding that authorities conduct regular public surveys to assess citizens’ views on sports infrastructure and government policies in the sector.

*Writing by Seyit Kurt in Istanbul