MOSCOW (AP) — Russia wants to use music by 19th-century composer Pyotr Tchaikovsky as its replacement anthem for the Tokyo Olympics, the president of the country’s Olympic committee said Thursday.
Russia’s team name, flag and national anthem were banned for two years from the Olympics and world championships in December.
Russian Olympic Committee president Stanislav Pozdnyakov said officials had already discussed the Tchaikovsky excerpt with the International Olympic Committee and are waiting for approval.
The same music was used at some speed skating events this year. In most other sports which have held world championship events, the competition organizers’ anthems were used, rather than any Russian music.