IOC says it was tricked by Russian prank callers amid tension ahead of Paris Olympics
The International Olympic Committee believes its president Thomas Bach fell prey to a prank telephone call amid rising tensions with Russia over restrictions on its athletes competing at the Paris Games.
The International Olympic Committee believes its president Thomas Bach fell prey to a prank telephone call amid rising tensions with Russia over restrictions on its athletes competing at the Paris Games.
The IOC on Thursday detailed a call from people claiming to be from the African Union — a similar trick to one played by Russian callers on Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni in September.
In Meloni’s call, she acknowledged “fatigue” with the war in Ukraine believing she was talking with officials of the African Union.
The IOC said it had calls with “a person pretending to be the chair of the African Union Commission” wanting to discuss a statement on the politicization of sport.
The IOC and Bach have publicly criticized the Russian state including over plans to organize an international multi-sports event in September, weeks after the Paris Olympics close.Russian athletes who pass vetting to compete in Paris also will not take part in the opening ceremony parade of boats on the River Seine, the IOC decided this week.
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