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Russian commentators mentioned Thomas Bach's German nationality and referenced the Holocaust in social media posts
Russia's response to the ban on athletes from the Olympic opening ceremony was “extremely aggressive”, the International Olympic Committee said.
He added that the president of the ruling party, Thomas Bach, had also been personally attacked.
Russia has criticized the IOC.
Maria Zakharova, a spokeswoman for the country's foreign ministry, said on Wednesday that the IOC had “succumbed to racism and neo-Nazism.”
Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, athletes from Russia and Belarus were banned from participating, but they will be able to participate in the Olympics as neutral countries.
That means participating without your country's flag, emblem, or national anthem.
Zakharova said that by adopting a position of neutrality, the players were forced to “renounce their homeland, their citizenship, their history, their culture and their relationship with their people.”
“The IOC's decision is unfair, unjustified and unacceptable.”
However, Bach responded, “There has been an increase in very aggressive statements coming from Russia.''
IOC spokesperson Mark Adams added: “There were some very offensive comments from Russia today. I have one comment that goes beyond that. Linking the president, his nationality, to the Holocaust is unacceptable and falls under the lowest standards.'' has been achieved,” he added.
“Everyone who follows the rules is welcome to the Olympic movement,” Bach said.
“From the moment the Russian Olympic Committee follows the rules, they are welcome. The ball is in their court.”
