Support the Ukrainians in Paris - help to make them visible

 Ukrainian cultural identity in gymnastics

It’s difficult to write about Russian gymnastics at present; I have to keep it contextless.  And yet the news colludes against me.  Yesterday, former Russian President Dmitri Medvedev made a horrible statement declaring that Russia should subsume the whole of Ukrainian identity; Ukraine should disappear and become part of Russia not just geographically and economically, but also culturally.  

Let me say that again: Medvedev said that Ukraine’s identity should disappear.  

To say that your country’s aim is not just to destroy another’s physical infrastructure but also to make its identity disappear is equal to suggesting cultural genocide.  

This statement has a direct relevance to a country’s cultural policy, and the importance of sport within that.  If Ukrainian identity is ‘disappeared’ by Russia, what might happen to its sporting history and legacy, to the unique style of its past and current top competitors?   Who will own and ‘feel’ the flavour of its gymnastics?  In a field like gymnastics, Ukraine has a lot of cultural identity to protect - and to develop and promote.  

There has always been a distinct style to the best women: for example Zakharova, Omelianchik, Lyssenko and Podkopyeva were all powerful, precision gymnasts with great, linear technique and incredible expression.  In the late 1980s MAG was dominated by two Ukrainians, Mogilny and Korobchinski.  More recently, Oleg Vernaiev, Igor Radivilov and Ilia Kovtun are making a mark.  

Even when the gymnasts were competing as part of the USSR, their identity as Ukrainians was acknowledged.  

(This is not intended to be a comprehensive history of Ukrainian gymnastics: that would need to go on for thousands and thousands of words.)

Medvedev was trying to scare the daylights out of Ukraine, and to destroy a bit of its morale; a part of Ukraine that could really be boosted and improved by success at the Olympics, while its rivals, Russia, are forced to stay at home and compete in the ‘B’ competitions.  

At the same time. I’m fairly sure that Medvedev wasn’t directly thinking of gymnastics when he made his speech; but Russia has long employed sport as an international communications tool.  To lose the PR war by absence from the Games will hurt Russia, no matter how many multi-sports events they try to stage for themselves.  To see Ukraine steal some Russian thunder in Paris will really sting Putin’s pride.

Culture and identity is about more than simple branding; it has a relationship to heritage and history; a place in people’s memories across the world, memories of emotion and performance and competition.  Ukraine’s sporting culture can’t just be wiped out.  But it will need work to keep the flag flying both literally and figuratively.

So support the Ukrainian gymnasts in Paris, make sure that their names appear high on the list of mentions on your social media.   Inform yourselves of their history and geography so that you can comment on and support them, either in person or online.  

Doing well at the Olympics is one way that Ukraine can really make itself visible and make its presence felt, emphasising that unique cultural identity that has meant so much to the sport.  They will improve their morale, just by being visible in the competition. They will also be defying the Russian state.  Help them to make sure that they have the highest possible level of visibility at the Games.