On Wednesday night, the IOC (International Olympic Committee) came up with one statement which opens up Russian and Belarusian participation in the Olympics, despite the fact that the occupation of Ukraine is still ongoing.
Nevertheless, the jubilation in Russia is not over. On the contrary, there is a hail of reactions from Russians who believe the IOC engages in manipulation and unfair treatment of their athletes.
– This is blackmail and manipulation. Once again they mix sports with politics. There have been many wars in history, but Europeans and Americans have never been given such ultimatums, says figure skating coach Aleksej Zheleznyakov to MatchTV.
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He is supported by former Olympic figure skating champion, Svetlana Zjurova, who is now also a representative in the Russian State Duma.
– They are trying to split us into different groups. But there is no reason to humiliate yourself, she adds Championship.
Aleksander Bolsjunov’s coach Jurij Borodavko is also questioning what the IOC is actually trying to achieve.
– The idea is good, but the proposal is mostly a political matter. Some of the conditions that are proposed are simply unacceptable, he says Championship.
– Must go hard
Russia expert and professor of Russian at the University of Oslo, Atle Grønn, is not surprised by the Russian’s rhetoric.
– If they had said that this is nice, then it is the same as saying that they are the bad party in the war. Any restriction, even if this is a radical softening from the IOC, they will have to go hard against. They have to pretend that they have a moral basis for this war, he says to Nettavisen.
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Grønn calls the developments “predictable”, and does not think the IOC’s proposal will be perceived in the same way by the steady Russian.
– For the smooth Russian, the most important thing is that the athletes are involved, he says.
By opening up Russian participation, the IOC is creating a provocation in the West, Grønn believes.
– I think what the IOC is proposing is a victory for Russia and a mockery of Ukraine.
Strict rules
The reactions of the Russians are about the fact that they believe they are not allowed to be Russians, even if they are allowed to participate in championships.
Participation will only be possible under certain limited conditions.
The athletes will not be able to use their nation’s flag, they will not be able to play national anthems or do anything that may create associations with their home country.
In addition, the athletes cannot have actively supported the war against Ukraine, and they must fulfill WADA’s anti-doping regulations and follow the anti-doping regime.
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Although there is a lot of criticism, not all Russians oppose the IOC’s proposal. The biathlete Daniil Serokhvostov believes that this is a step in the right direction, and he states that he is positive about what is now to come.
– This is a sign that Russian and Belarusian athletes are on their way into the heat again. I think the IOC is going in the right direction now, he adds MatchTV.
