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Russian gymnastics and the Olympics - success through adversity - and some recommended reading

It is interesting, in my opinion, to read this article (link below) and to understand how the Russian doping scandal is understood by Russian citizens and athletes.  It shows that 'another' perspective on President Putin and on the blanket ban of track and field is shared by a lot of people.  

It is also true that Russia's whole strategy of sports development and of using mega events to develop the visitor economy has been cast into doubt by the IOC response to the cheating that has evidently been going on.  The brouhaha surrounding the blanket ban, its pros and cons in different sports and all the rights and wrongs have masked the fact that for the first time the IOC has imposed the equivalent of economic sanctions on Russia by removing so many sporting events due to be staged there.  Sport has imposed itself right in the middle of world politics.  I hope that the end result is greater peace in the world.  

I hope that the Russian Govt's pledge to renew the testing regime is followed through in a positive way, and that the work involved can be a true collaboration within the international Olympic community.  To me this is the second step in Russia's rehab into the international sports community.  The first is to admit wrongdoing, which may be more difficult while licking the wounds of such an enormous sanction.   I would like to see Russia back safely in the Olympic fold, where they belong.

I've always thought that gymnastics is the most Olympic of sports.  The friendships that manifest themselves between athletes, coaches, officials and fans are always there through thick and thin.  It is remarkable when you consider the wider political history and some of the controversies.  The nature of gymnastics as a sport where you challenge yourself more than others is part of this.  A gymnast can only compete to the level prepared.  I love it when the gymnasts share the joy of accomplishment regardless of whether the gymnast won a medal.  They really support each other and to me this is one of the really important things about the Olympics - we are all fundamentally equal, and we all deserve respect for our efforts.  Gymnastics embodies this at least as much as any sport.  It is Olympism made real.  

I really hope that this Olympic spirit is shared with the audiences in Brazil.  Our gymnastics teams have a big job - not just to do their best gymnastics, but also to win over the crowd and reassure the world of their inimitable Russian charm and charisma.  I have every confidence that they will succeed, and regardless of the medal count I think this will be a vintage Olympics for the Russians.  Success through adversity!

Comments

  1. Staging sports event just costs money .The USA has never held the world swimming or athletics champs ! Let them pay up for a change.They hold no international gym events either.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think USA doesn't host sporting events because they are smart! Think about it, what's the bottom line of achievement in sport? the biggest medal haul, which USA typically has. Why spend billions on an Olympics (continental or otherwise) or millions on a World Championships when your team can show up and reap the rewards and leave without any afterthought into the stress, budget deficits, and compromises the population made to make that event a success? Nah, better let someone else do the hard- and lately unrewarding work- and you take the glory. And it's not like there's a shortage of countries eager to prove how progressive they are by hosting a sporting event. The USA sees what those countries don't... development in sport is about actually developing the fundamentals of that sport to take root & prosper, not to measure your accomplishments by how many events you host. Answer me this: has Russia become more respected and admired by putting on lavish, wonderful, memorable sporting events these past ten years? Did hosting the 2013 Euros do anything to address the problems inherent in the Russian WAG program?

      I have to say- personally, as a US citz, I am happy we don't vie too hard for the mega costly events, (although a WC here or there would be nice in gymnastics) but the bottom line is this: the USA spends their money on building programs, not arenas.

      Delete
    2. On what world do you guys live? Atlanta 1996 Olympics, 2003 World Gymnastics Champ in California, just in gymnastics.

      Delete
  2. World swimming championships never held is USA = correct. World championships in Athletics never held in USA = incorrect, if you include indoor track and field. USA hosted the world indoor track and field championships in 1987 and 2016. The only international gymnastics event that is often held in USA is a minor one, the Pacific Rim Championships.

    In general you are correct. The USA does not typically host these major events in those two sports. I am not sure about all other Olympics sports though.

    Todd

    ReplyDelete
  3. 2003 was the last time US held a gymnastic world championship.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Gymnastics_Championships

    It does take a lot to put up a major championship or Olympic, but US cities does put in regular Olympic bids.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Unknown commented -

    And 1991 Worlds (Indianapolis), 1984 Olympics (LA), 1979 Worlds (Fort Worth)

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  5. Another interesting read (and see the comments) - http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/jul/29/the-trouble-with-the-olympic-games?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

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  6. Hosting events has nothing to do with building systems directly but what it does do is raise interest and popularity of sports. In countries like USA, Russia or China where they have big populations and economies, it doesn't really affect their program if they decide to host championships. Brazil on the other hand, where gymnastics had grown steadily since Daniele became a medal contender in 2001, it has made a difference. Alexandrov picking Brazil wasn't the only reason they grew this quad, there was a bit more funding that came into a picture as a result of hosting an olympics at home, and as a result they have the best Brazilians of all time on a team at the same time, three of whom became seniors last year (with the exception of Daiane Dos Santos.) i foresee the same effect for Japan.

    ReplyDelete
  7. More reading on the Russian voice and response too the bans - https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/30/russians-defiance-email-hacking-doping-athletes?CMP=share_btn_tw

    ReplyDelete

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