“I believe that the decision of the Court of Arbitration for Sport still has a political connotation to a certain extent,” he said.
At the same time, the President stressed that the ban does not affect the quality of the performances of Russian athletes.
The head of state also commented on the use of Pyotr Tchaikovsky's music, which is played instead of the anthem during the awards ceremony for Russian Olympians.
“Let the world get acquainted with Russian classics,” he said.
Putin added that Russian athletes are the best way to prove by their performances that all attempts to politicize sport are "insignificant, senseless, and even harmful."
On August 6, Vladimir Putin congratulated freestyle wrestler Zaurbek Sidakov, who won gold at the Tokyo Olympic Games in the weight category up to 74 kg.