Russian President Vladimir Putin heard Oleg Matytsin's report on prospects of Olympic participation from his office in St Petersburg ©Getty Images

Russian Sports Minister Oleg Matytsin has told Vladmir Putin that Russia "must defend our interests with the help of friendly countries," and predicted that around 180 athletes from Russia could take part in next year's Olympic Games in Paris if restrictions were lifted in time.

Matytsin joined other Russian Government officials in a video conference call to Putin in St Petersburg.

“If our athletes successfully pass the qualifying tournaments and the conditions are not significantly changed, then the maximum number of participants from the Russian side in the Olympic Games will be about 180 athletes," Matytsin told Putin, according to a transcript published on The Kremlin's official website. 

"In this regard, we consider it necessary to continue the dialogue with international sports organisations and defend our interests with the help of friendly countries."

In the last few weeks, Matytsin had visited officials in Asia, Central and South America and the African continent in an attempt to increase support for the Russian position following Putin's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. 

Putin had meanwhile welcomed Chinese leader Xi Jinping to Moscow in March.

In a brisk statement to Putin, Matytsin told him that, "The decision on the participation of Russian athletes in the 2024 Olympic Games will be made no earlier than July 26, 2023".

Paris 2024 is due to open on July 26 next year. 

In a video call, Vladimir Putin was advised by Oleg Matytsin that there could potentially be 180 Russians competing in the Paris 2024 Olympics ©Getty Images
In a video call, Vladimir Putin was advised by Oleg Matytsin that there could potentially be 180 Russians competing in the Paris 2024 Olympics ©Getty Images

Matytsin also summarised the attitudes of different sports across the Olympic programme towards participation.

"In total, International Federations in 12 Olympic and 13 non-Olympic sports supported the admission of Russian athletes to international competitions," Matytsin said.

"Nine organisations have not yet given clear criteria for admission to competitions."

Archery, boxing, canoeing, fencing, judo, shooting and wrestling are amongst the sports which have indicated that they will permit Russian and Belarusian athletes.

In February, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Executive Board set out recommendations for the return to International sport of Russian and Belarusian competitors.

The IOC has insisted there had been no discussion on Olympic participation at Paris 2024.

"I would also like to note that qualifying competitions do not guarantee participation in the Olympic Games, later the International Olympic Committee will develop special requirements," Matytsin warned Putin. 

A team of 334 competed under the Russian Olympic Committee flag at the Tokyo Olympics two years ago ©Getty Images
A team of 334 competed under the Russian Olympic Committee flag at the Tokyo Olympics two years ago ©Getty Images

IOC guidelines have stipulated that those with Russian and Belarus passports are only permitted to compete as "Individual Neutral Athletes".

There is a ban on athletes and support staff who "actively support the war," and those "contracted to the Russian or Belarusian military or national security agencies,”

Russia and Belarus will also not be permitted to compete in team sports.

Many Russian officials have condemned the conditions that have been imposed.

Matytsin himself had previously called for the Russian flag to be used and had told insidethegames, "it is important you present the country with all symbols, including the flag."

The IOC Executive Board is next scheduled to meet on June 20.