Among the arguments that the current government has presented to the people as proof of success of own activity, sport is not in last place. On the contrary, strongly emphasized the relationship of the significant achievements in sports arenas and the focus of the political leadership. Especially brightly this tendency was observed in the organization of the biggest competitions in our country the Universiade in Kazan, Olympics in Sochi. On the Russian election outstanding athletes repeatedly used as “locomotives”. The ruling elite did not hesitate to score political points in the Shine of the medals and the glory of athletes. So her desire to avoid talking about the responsibility for the shame caused by the unprecedented string of high-profile doping scandals, it looks at least ugly.
Despite good intentions to be out of politics,” around and about the sports policy is always present. Victory in sports of the higher achievements – a truly national success. Not accidentally, in honor of the winners play the national anthem, waving national flags, not just the stadiums gather many thousands, and the TV screens, millions and even billions of viewers. With the victory of Russian athletes are proud of everyone, including Housewives and patients of the clinics. The state of the sport to a certain extent demonstrates the level of development of the state, because modern sport is and the latest technology, and preparation techniques, and the appearance of youth, and robust infrastructure. And just as Olympic gold or the world record – and national pride, doping scandal with participation of the champion – a national disgrace. But if such scandals just a couple of months a few? Olympic champion skater E. Bobrow, Olympic champion in short track S. Elistratov, five-time world champion speed skater Pavel Kulizhnikov, “mega-star” M. Sharapova tennis, and volleyball, weightlifters, cyclist… the Minister of sport Vitaly Mutko justified pretty pathetic that the anti-doping struggle in the country had flaws, but denies the state’s involvement in the falsification of the results of doping control. But unless the omission which gave rise to massive violations of our athletes, including representing Russia in the international arena, is not aiding and abetting in the crime? The country has huge reputational loss, and officials shrug. Mutko also implies that we are waiting for new revelations. Apparently knows what he’s talking about. Included in the list of prohibited substances from January 1, 2016. Meldonium in the eyes of the world finally destroyed the authority of the Russian sports. By the way, before been seriously shaken because of the mass use of doping in national teams in biathlon and athletics.
Of course, you can refer to the electoral bias of WADA (world anti-doping Agency) and it is to our athletes. However, with the introduction of Western sanctions such tightening had to guess. It is necessary to prepare. The updated list of banned drugs should be a Handbook for anyone who influence the final result of the competition: officials from the Federation to the coach from the team doctor to, of course, the athlete. It is an integral and indispensable part of a professional attitude.
And what do we see? Some boundless negligence, carelessness. According to The Times, since September last year, Sharapova received at least five warnings about Meldonium, but according to her, she didn’t bother to read the received documents. According to the statement of Mutko, six months ago, the Ministry warned about entering Meldonium to the list of prohibited drugs “all federations, athletes, the Russian anti-doping Agency. As a result, representatives of at least 7 (!) federations have ignored the warning – I guess this is the question about the effectiveness of the “vertical of power”. According 2015 4316 tested Russian athletes Meldonium found at 724 (17%), that is the question on new year’s eve just had to be in control of sports management. But no, again, hoping on Russian perhaps.
Now looking for someone to blame. The Minister nods to the Federation, to those athletes and coaches who, in turn, blame doctors. What is that mess?! It turns out, ignorant doctors accompany the training process of leaders of Russian sports? Or still there is a system failure? The root cause of which is not so much the desire by all means to win, but in the absence of an atmosphere of intolerance to unacceptable methods of achieving the objectives – as in society in General and in the sports community in particular.
The reaction to doping scandals we have in the West. In the list of WADA Meldonium related to the group S4 of metabolic modulators, its application can be disqualified for 4 years. Is it that serious. But our illustrious Olympic champion, figure skater E. Plushenko after the scandal said: “we have Meldonium is akin to say”. And he echoed, somehow justifying erring athletes, many fans and sports figures. This position colors our sport? Especially against the background of a merciless attitude towards violators of the rules of the Western partners (recall the story of lance Armstrong, seven times won the Tour de France, and deprived of all titles). Maybe Meldonium and was a vitamin (it is actually several decades is widely distributed among us) is to make the list, but just do not have enough sense to prove it to the world sports functionaries, recklessly insist on it now, bringing athletes to an excommunication from sports.
Or such picture. When Olympic champion in race walking O. Kaniskina were disqualified for doping, a portrait of her then another six months hung a large trading house located near the railway station square in Kirov. And it’s not nonsense, and the most common thing that province to the capital. But the sporting goods manufacturer Nike announced the suspension of the advertising contract with Sharapova before the completion of the investigation by the International tennis Federation, the non-renewal of her contract stated watch company Tag Heuer, Porsche has cancelled all activities with the participation of tennis players. However, Maria, as noted by the journalist of a site “the championship.com is an international business project in trouble it is unlikely to leave. I think in the worst case, on Russian TV, she will always find a place. T. Kandelaki have rushed to Express their support. Others “caught” who have no ties and income, have much more complicated.
We all love medals count without thinking how it gets done. We expect repeat of Soviet domination in most species, while public investment in their development then and now are incomparable. The current policy, pandering to the voters, require the victories that adorn the background of Champions, but do not create appropriate conditions for development of mass and children’s sports. Still no base, but put the problem of the Soviet scale. It does not happen. The slogan “Give medals!” when detached from regular problem of doping scandals is not that other, as the connivance of the Russian authorities to the trafficking of illegal drugs in the national sport. Condoning this went on for years and led to more shame for the country, turned the reputation of our athletes in one solid spot, clean up it will take even longer. Over the Russian team faced a real threat of excommunication from the Olympic games in Rio de Janeiro, although it is unlikely that this will allow transnational corporations interested in profits. But enthusiasm for the leadership in the medal standings, obviously, should not wait. Another bubble of power, “rising from its knees,” he snapped.
