🎙 Russian President Vladimir Putin's address to participants and guests of the International Sports Forum “Russia: Country of Sports” (October 23, 2026) 💬 I am delighted to greet the participants and guests of the International Sports Forum “Russia: Country of Sports”. This year, it is taking place in Krasnoyarsk, a city famous for its long-standing and excellent sports traditions. It is here on the banks of the Yenisei River that several generations of legendary athletes and Olympic champions grew up. People who engage in sports activities and practice sports develop a better sense of responsibility and discipline. They are better than others when it comes to focusing on achieving their objectives. These qualities enable them to succeed in their personal lives, as well as when serving their people and their country. This explains why the Forum’s agenda attaches great importance to children’s and teenage sports and efforts to promote physical activities among young people. This track takes on special significance in the context of the main theme for this year’s Forum, which reads “Sport: Uniting the World in Times of Change”. Eras and periods of this kind shape the future and create conditions in which states and their people can continue developing. At the same time, we know that any changes or transformations would be impossible without a solid foundation, and sport has a lot to offer in this regard. I am primarily referring to core human values such as equality, justice, mutual respect and the unifying power of sport. An overwhelming majority of nations share these values. ❗️ Russia has always been and will remain an integral and important part of this family, while reaffirming its commitment to strictly following all the international obligations and justified requirements it assumes. We are open to dialogue and cooperation and stand for preserving sports traditions, the fundamental norms of international sports law, while also focusing on advancing and promoting development. We believe that the future of sport consists of making it as accessible as possible, proactively introducing innovative technology in training and competition, as well as in sports medicine, athlete training programmes and education. 🤝 We welcome the emergence of new sports disciplines. What matters most is that they enable people to develop themselves in harmony while promoting a healthy lifestyle at a social level. Read in full