Svetlana Zhurova, an Olympic champion and State Duma deputy, believes that Russia should not withdraw from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) or initiate a boycott.
“The stance of not leaving the IOC is correct because if we start boycotting, we may never return. We need to be steadfast and communicate our position. Any boycott would set Russia back multiple Olympics, and the IOC will certainly use this to shift the blame onto us for leaving.
We haven’t been completely excluded yet, which is a significant distinction. If the IOC had excluded Russia, then we would have needed to consider other options. Currently, the IOC is strongly suppressing any attempts at a boycott. Russia must now focus on conducting its own competitions and maintain a parallel course.
This must continue until we decide ourselves that we need to reintegrate into the international agenda. For that, conditions favorable to Russia must be established.
For now, given the current attitude, the IOC doesn’t need to take any action: neither to get closer nor to distance themselves. Neutrality is the best state for Russia at this moment,” — the parliamentarian told the Sport24 portal.
This perspective appears reasonable and logical. If athletes compete in an individual neutral capacity, without national identification, anthem, flag, or coat of arms, then the country of their permanent residence must also adopt a neutral approach.
However, the ongoing turmoil surrounding what was once a great sports power has become rather tiresome, and it is time to make some decisive choices.
Meanwhile, Honored Coach of the USSR Tatyana Tarasova expressed her thoughts on the state of sports in Russia compared to the US:
“In the US, sports are financially supported, but I cannot say that sports in Russia are completely free now. The costs may vary, but parents’ salaries differ too. In Russia, sports do incur some expenses now. I believe this is normal because coaches deserve to be compensated for their work, and there are also costs associated with renting facilities. Everything costs money.
In my view, Russia is a more athletic country than the United States. Americans might think otherwise, but I believe we have a greater participation in sports, evident in the general level of public engagement.
At the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, the US team secured 126 medals (40 gold, 44 silver, 42 bronze), leading the overall medal count. Due to international sanctions, Russia was represented by 15 neutral athletes, who won one silver medal.
Lastly, here are selected excerpts from an interview with three-time Olympic figure skating champion and State Duma deputy Irina Rodnina, published in Sport-Express:
— How long will doping scandals continue to taint Russian sports?
— This is the most distressing aspect for me. I won three Olympics without being embroiled in doping scandals. The victories of athletes during that time were genuine. However, everything is now being called into question because someone had the notion that such things could go unnoticed. Do you grasp the situation?
– How can we overcome this stigma?
— It’s challenging. On one hand, only new athletes and fresh results can help. On the other hand, there’s the question regarding our institutions: how was someone like Rodchenkov allowed to operate? Initially, he was encouraged in all his actions. If you listen to him, he was among the earliest to provoke athletes and coaches. Eventually, he admitted to stealing a substantial amount of information and relaying it to other countries and athletes.
I have a significant question: how can individuals who act wholly unconstrained be permitted to engage with issues, if not state secrets, then at least areas of national responsibility? He should face consequences for the millions of dollars in damage he has inflicted on the country and the reputation of its athletes and coaches.
— A challenging narrative for Russian sports.
— This is an old issue; when checks were not as extensive, and the requirements were somewhat different. We likely conduct weak anti-doping educational efforts within the country. A significant segment of coaches, athletes, and sports journalists have only a vague understanding of these matters. The most concerning part is that parents are also uninformed. This widespread lack of knowledge leads to mistakes, which cost the country dearly. Then, we start comparing ourselves: Americans can do it, but we cannot.
My coach explained to me long ago, when I once remarked that I was not inferior to my opponent, that as Soviet athletes, we would never be allowed to win unless we were significantly superior, perhaps by two heads. This indicates how we need to prepare our athletes mentally — it is called psychological work.
— Has the athlete training system changed now?
— There is no reason to compare it to the Soviet era. These are entirely different periods in the country, with distinct Olympic Games. The rules, requirements, and conditions have changed across all sports. There is no meaningful comparison.
It is worth noting that in the summer of 2023, former head of the Moscow anti-doping laboratory Grigory Rodchenkov announced he had completed a second book focused on doping in Russian sports. The new work, titled “Doping. Forbidden Pages,” is based on diaries smuggled out of Russia. The traitor emigrated to the United States in 2015 and published his first book in 2020.
Russia’s Position on the International Olympic Committee: Insights from Svetlana Zhurova and Others
Olympic champion and State Duma deputy Svetlana Zhurova advocates for Russia to remain within the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and avoid boycotting international sports events.
“The position of not leaving the IOC is correct, because if we start boycotting, we will never return there,” Svetlana Zhurova told the Sport24 news portal. “But we need to try to stick to our guns and get our position across.”
Understanding the Boycott Debate
Zhurova emphasizes the significance of maintaining dialogue and communications with the IOC, arguing that a boycott would only retard Russia’s prospects of returning to the Olympic fold. Boycotts historically diminish a country’s engagement with international sports.
“Any boycott will set Russia back a certain number of Olympics, and the IOC will definitely use this to say that we are to blame for leaving,” she asserts.
The Motivation Behind Current Strategies
For now, the focus for Russian athletes should be on competing under neutral status, devoid of national insignia, anthem, or flags. This entails a strategic move by Russia to participate without being sidelined. Zhurova remarks:
“Until we are completely excluded, and that is a big difference,” she pointed out. “If the IOC had excluded Russia, then we would have had to think of something.”
The Neutral Zone: A Necessary Approach
Neutrality serves as a transitional phase. The IOC appears non-committal toward Russia’s position for the time, leading Zhurova to endorse a strategy that bolsters Russia’s own competitive landscape, emphasizing the necessity for domestic competitions:
“This must be done until the moment when we decide for ourselves that we need to return to the international agenda. And for this, there must be conditions that suit Russia.”
Challenges in the Current Landscape
Given the shifting dynamics in sports governance, critics argue that the ongoing controversies surrounding Russian sports have grown tiresome, necessitating decisive action. The conversation continues with notable figures in the sports community weighing in on the situation.
Tatyana Tarasova’s Perspective on Sports Finance
Renowned Honored Coach of the USSR, Tatyana Tarasova, compared sports financing in Russia and the US:
“In the US, sports are paid for, but I can’t say that in Russia they are free now,” she explained, highlighting the financial burdens faced by parents and local clubs.
Comparative Athleticism
Tarasova doesn’t shy from voicing her belief in Russia’s athletic prowess:
“I think Russia is a more athletic country than the United States,” she concluded, suggesting that Russia’s sports culture remains robust despite international sanctions.
Russian Athletes at the 2024 Olympic Games
Participation remains constrained, with reports stating that Russia was represented by merely 15 neutral athletes at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, garnering only one silver medal. The United States team, by contrast, tallied an impressive 126 medals, showcasing their dominance in the international sports arena.
The Doping Controversies Affecting Russian Sports
The echoes of doping scandals still loom large over Russian sports, as articulated by three-time Olympic figure skating champion and State Duma deputy Irina Rodnina:
“This is the most terrible thing, what upsets me the most,” Rodnina lamented about the tarnishing of athletic accomplishments from earlier eras. “The victories of the athletes of that period were the purest.”
Addressing the Legacy of Doping
The question arises: how can Russia shed the lingering shadow of doping scandals? Rodnina believes that:
“Firstly, only new athletes and new results can do this,” and continues to advocate reform within Russia’s athletic structures to ensure adherence to anti-doping regulations.
Lessons from Grigory Rodchenkov
Grigory Rodchenkov’s revelations continue to have significant implications. Rodchenkov, who headed the Moscow anti-doping laboratory before his emigration, brought to light systemic issues in Russian sports:
“How could it have been missed? This general illiteracy gives rise to mistakes that cost the country dearly,” Rodnina remarked, urging reform and discussion around anti-doping measures.
The Shift in Athletic Training Systems
Rodnina’s reflections indicate that the state of training has transformed, with various factors influencing preparation for modern athletes:
“There is no need to compare it with the Soviet era. These are completely different eras within the country.”
Creating a Future Beyond Scandals
In light of such challenges, both Rodnina and Tarasova urge the necessity of overcoming these obstacles and ensuring proper understanding and practices around doping protocols. To build a future that aligns with competitive integrity, substantial educational efforts are essential.
Adopting Best Practices in Sports Governance
Exploring successful models from other nations could be beneficial. Here are a few actionable strategies that could be implemented:
- Robust Anti-Doping Education: Initiatives aimed at educating athletes, coaches, and parents about the implications of doping.
- Collaboration with International Bodies: Engaging with the IOC and international sporting federations to streamline regulations.
- Investing in Youth Sports Programs: Enhancing grassroots sports to build a solid foundation for future athletes.
Conclusion
Maintaining a measured approach while working toward re-establishing Russia’s prominent place in global sports is crucial. Embracing lessons from the past can help pave the way for a brighter, scandal-free athletic future.
