(RoyalPatriot.com )- Even though the World Anti-Doping Agency banned the Russian Olympic Games team from competing in Beijing this month, the Chinese state-run Global Times newspaper just branded Russian President Vladimir Putin as the “most important guest” at the 2022 Winter Games.
The newspaper said that Putin visited Beijing on February 4 at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, and was present at the opening ceremony of the games on the same day.
“And the two leaders will hold in-depth talks covering a wide range of bilateral and international issues,” it continued, before adding that Putin was the first foreign head of state to confirm his attendance at the games.
“Chinese experts consider him as the most important guest to the event, given there’s no limit for China-Russia friendship,” it continued, adding that the pair planned on discussing how to build on the relationship between the two countries.
If that’s not a sign that Russia is very much just as dangerous now as it was under Soviet rule, then nothing is…
The official Russian team could not compete in the Olympic Games this year after the World Anti-Doping Agency slapped them with the punishment following several incidents of Russian athletes using performance-enhancing drugs.
Technically, however, some Russian athletes are still competing in the games but instead as representatives of the Russian Olympic Committee. It means that they cannot officially fly the country’s flag in the opening ceremony or display it during the games.
The games are expected to continue until February 20.