Speaking at the ROC Executive Committee meeting  in Moscow, Pozdnyakov - who will stand unopposed for re-election on December 20 - said the Russian side had complied with all the requirements of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) and that there were no reasons to continue with the disciplinary action, Russia's official state news agency TASS reported.

In December 2019, WADA announced a four-year package of sanctions on Russia as punishment for manipulating and tampering with anti-doping data at the Moscow Laboratory, but this was reduced on appeal by CAS.

The sanctions denied Russia the use of national symbols and its national anthem at sporting events and it was deprived of the right to host competitions, although with certain reservations.

"On December 17, the time for sanctions expires," Pozdnyakov said.

"There is a lot of speculation.

"But there are no prerequisites for the flag restrictions or other [restrictions] to be extended.

"The CAS decision has been implemented."

Since the WADA and CAS rulings, Russian and Belarusian athletes have been prevented from taking part in international competition due to the war in Ukraine, following a recently-confirmed recommendation made by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on February 28.

Pozdynakov added that only a "minority" of countries were in favour if this.

"I discussed the decisions with IOC President Thomas Bach and other organisations," he revealed.

"I have never heard from them that they do not want to see athletes from Russia at the competitions.

"There are countries that want to use this for their own benefit.

"But such a minority."

Pozdnyakov added: "I want to sincerely thank each of you for your joint and effective work over the past four years.

"It was a difficult period for Russian sports and the Olympic Movement, it required a colossal responsibility to the country, society, including our athletes.

"I want to emphasize that the recent challenges not only did not destroy our Olympic family, but also strengthened it.

"We managed, in my opinion, the most important thing - to ensure a decent result for our athletes in Olympic sports, as well as lay the foundation for results in the future."

Pozdnyakov, 49, a four-time Olympic sabre fencing champion, headed the European Fencing Confederation from 2016 to this year when he was forced to stand down as a result of his country's invasion on Ukraine and has been ROC President since 2018.

He confirmed during today's ROC Executive Committee that he would be the only candidate. 

Pozdnyakov was nominated by 116 members of the Olympic Committee out of 186,

Pozdnyakov caused controversy earlier this year when he encouraged Russian athletes to fight in the war against Ukraine following the announcement by the country's President Vladimir Putin that he ordered a partial mobilisation of troops.

Pozdnyakov was also criticised at the Association of National Olympic Committees General Assembly in Seoul in October when he showed two videos as part of his presentation for the Culture and Education Commission, which he chairs, that featured two events in Russia which took place since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine.

Several delegates staged a walkout in response to the videos, with National Olympic Committee and Sports Confederation of Denmark President Hans Natorp describing the contents as "inappropriate propaganda."