The event has already triggered the wrath of the IOC and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), but the Friendship Games should be able to count on the participation of some of the republics of the former Soviet Union. Kazakhstan in particular. Its ambassador in Moscow, Dauren Abayev, a former Kazakh sports minister, explained this to the TASS agency on Monday November 20: “Vladimir Putin visited Kazakhstan recently, during which a number of documents were signed, one of which defines a joint action plan between the sports ministries of our countries. We are ready to take part in sporting competitions organized on Russian territory. I think Kazakh athletes will take part in next year’s World Friendship Games.” The multi-sport event, initiated by Vladimir Putin himself, is scheduled to take place in Moscow and Ekaterinburg between September 15 and 29, 2024.
