MOSCOW, October 20. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin met on Tuesday with Sports Minister and President of the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) Mikhail Degtyarev.

TASS has compiled key statements made by Mikhail Degtyarev.

- Degtyarev stated that the All-Russian Ski Mountaineering Federation will be established in the near future, while the Climbing Federation of Russia currently oversees the development of this sport.

- The ROC president reported on the completion of work to unify sports federations following earlier reorganization efforts in gymnastics, aquatics and ski sports, snowboarding, canoeing, skateboarding and roller sports.

- Degtyarev pointed out that representatives of large businesses have been involved in the executive management of the new federations, producing significant results, including in the international arena.

- The primary objective of the Russian Sports Ministry is the full return of all Russian athletes to the international arena, their participation in international tournaments under the national flag and to the tune of the country’s anthem.

- The minister stressed that the Russian side had achieved a positive result following an "offensive diplomatic and legal operation to return to the global sports arena."

- Degtyarev reported that more than 170 international meetings had been held over a year and a half, including 32 visits to 17 countries.

- According to him, the Russian Sports Ministry and the ROC continue their dialogue with international federations to restore Russian athletes’ rights.

- Degtyarev expects a positive development in the lawsuit filed by the Russian Biathlon Union (RBU) with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) and, according to him, "the situation in biathlon is on the move."

- The minister noted that everything indicates that Russia would eventually defend its legal rights across all sports.

- Degtyarev pointed out that the Russian side had already been granted the right to appeal decisions involving the international federations of bobsleigh, luge and cross-country skiing.

- The minister stressed that cases concerning Russia’s reinstatement in the international arena in track and field athletics, curling and ice hockey are currently pending in court.

- Degtyarev noted that Europe continues to hinder Russia’s participation in international tournaments.

- The Russian Sports Ministry is working to counter these obstacles jointly with the Russian Foreign Ministry and the IOC, he said.

- Degtyarev stated that the IOC has changed the terms of organizing sports tournaments and now requires countries bidding to host them to provide written guarantees for the admission of Russian athletes.

- According to the minister, European sports federations continue to fall into a trap, as they lose tournaments due to the exclusion of Russians.