Will Russia return to big world sport – analysis of statements by Russian President Vladimir Putin and IOC head Thomas Bach
The middle of September turned out to be rich in important news and infections, attracted from the countries of Russian sports. It is worth saying right away: no one has given a direct answer to the question of when and how the Russians will return to tournaments (and whether they will return at all). But there are definitely reasons to think and speculate about long-term trends.
Vladimir Putin and IOC chief Thomas Bach.
Let’s analyze five events or requirements and upload.
“We feel like criminals.” How our athletes passed the Olympics and how it ended
“Russian athletes should not be victims”
First of all, attention is drawn to the curious representation of the US Olympic and Paralympic Committees by Suzanne Lyons.
“I think we all feel that at some point, certain athletes should not be victims of any politics or other tensions in the entire state world. I think that suddenly there will be a desire for the athletes that take place in Russia to come back and become part of the events, but, as it seems, it should be.
These words in Russia were evaluated very positively, perhaps even emotionally. By and large, they convey only that even in the United States they do not say that we should be removed forever. Some window of opportunity for sale.
Bach disclaims responsibility
The head of the Olympic Olympic Committee, Thomas Bach, took part in the online meeting of the IOC Athletes’ Commission. Also with a video message, the official representative of the Congress of the International Biathlon Association.
“Speaking of Russian and Belarusian athletes, he did not directly say that they should be suspended. He even voiced the option of their admission to the RSM competitions without a national identity. But in general, Bach washed his hands – decide, they say, for yourself, ”writes the IOC President, head of the press service of the Russian Biathlon Union, Sergey Averyanov, about his impressions of the speech.
“Sanctions on Russia are against the rules.” The head of the IOC is completely confused in his infections
At a conference with athletes, Bach also said nothing. Only that he “will solve” the problem of the removal of the Russians.
In general, the recommendation of the IOCRM by the federations to remove the Russians is still in force. But the recommendation seems to be not strict. That is, Bach does not forbid anything to anyone, but transfers responsibility to a lower level. And this, in theory, can have a positive effect on Russia.
Russia – outside the Russian biathlon. And this
First, let’s talk about denials.
At the IBU Congress, a decision was made to extend the suspension of Russia. 39 votes for this decision, Russia and Belarus – against. Five delegates abstained.
The decision was made, but no less unpleasant.
Judoka can set a precedent
But in the international judo federation, perhaps they are ready to take a risk against general surveillance. They still do not reject the possibility of Russian athletes performing at the World Championships, which will be held in Uzbekistan in early October. At the same time, representatives of Ukraine are protesting and talking about their readiness to withdraw from the tournament if the Russians go there.
To talk about a break in judo as a fait accompli of danger, but if it happens, it will become a very busy precedent.
The Ukrainian minister announced the removal of Russia from judo. But it looks like his imagination
In biathlon at the IBU level, we definitely don’t like it – this is no secret to anyone. However, there are many sports where Russia is more loyal, but perhaps afraid to take the first step. If metabolism judoists turn into high speeds, then they turn into high-speed ones.
The fateful statement of the President
Russian President Vladimir Putin at the summit of the Shanghai Organization also unexpectedly touched upon the topic of big sport.
“There are good opportunities to intensify sports cooperation with the prospect of major major events under the auspices of the SCO. To do this, we could think about creating an association of organizations under our associations,” the president suggested.
An extremely interesting idea. In fact, Putin proposed to create cooperation on the basis of Russia, China, India and Iran as an alternative to the IOC with its own decisions. True, the implementation of this idea to the state of a real alternative to the Olympics can attract more than one decade.
What does all of this mean? Russia will return to world sport?
Will return. But not as soon as we would like.
It is obvious that no one has reached active actions in Ukraine. As long as the special operation continues, only isolated breakthroughs are possible, as in judo loyal to Russia.
We need to deal with potential federations, take them on, communicate, so that they have the attitude we need – to return Russian athletics as soon as the situation in Ukraine is resolved.
“For politicians, the Olympics mean nothing.” Bold interview with our champion gymnast
The year 2022 has shown that the way out is closed in itself – not the way out. If we set ourselves the goal of becoming self-sufficient in the field of sports, then we need to completely rebuild the entire sports system in our country, and not report successfully bypassing repeated repeated Spartakiads. Obviously, no one is ready to engage in a complete restructuring. Therefore, we have to knock on closed doors, discover through the crack and expect that they will open us.
Sport in Russia, and in the USSR as well, is a historical battle of “ours” against “not ours”. Assuming that this idea is eliminated, then the status of a professional sports system in most disciplines simply does not make sense.
Putin’s idea, expressed at the SCO summit, allows us to think about finding the solution desired by the fans somewhere in the conditional East, if the conditional West deprives us of it. It is clear that the creation of an alternative “Eastern” Olympics is not a matter of years, but of history. Fighting a western show with billions of dollars revolving around it is incredibly difficult.
But if Russia, in conjunction with China, survives in a global conflict, then the already created alternative to the IOC may come in very handy.
And if it does not stand, then we probably will not be up to big sport.