The IOC launched a new trend of silence about Russia: “At the appropriate moment”

Land for aquatic species

Before the start of the World Aquatics Championship, which is currently taking place in Fukuoka, Japan, a meeting of the World Aquatics Bureau was held. The expectations from this meeting were quite specific: the organization promised to present the conclusions of its commission on the possible return of Russians to competitions under the auspices of the international federation. (And she promised to do it at the beginning of July.) But no.

Our athletes have been suspended from participation in international competitions under the auspices of World Aquatics since March 2022. When, a year later, the IOC recommended that the federations allow our athletes to compete in neutral status, World Aquatics announced the creation of a commission to study the issue. Apparently they are still learning. Or the tactic is tritely chosen to delay the decision as much as possible.

The World Cup in Japan-2023 Russia and Belarus, as you know, are missing. According to the WFTU President, the chance of qualifying for the Olympics remains through the World Championship, which will be held next year in Qatar. Another option is possible, in which the Russian Championship will be included in the list of competitions, where you can show the standards “A” or “B”, they will be a pass to Paris. But it depends on the decision of the bureau of the executive committee of World Aquatics. In the meantime, there are too many questions, and there is dense fog over our international water.

The World Aquatics Congress will also take place in Japan on July 25. The question of the possible admission of Russian and Belarusian athletes to international starts is also not on the agenda of the congress.

But still, the World Aquatics bureau did not go along with Ukraine, which insisted on the removal of the All-Russian Swimming Federation and the Belarusian Federation. The WFTU represents all our swimming disciplines in the parent organization. And, if the proposal of Ukraine to remove the WFTU was accepted, not only swimmers would suffer. The proposal, according to WFTU President and World Aquatics bureau member Vladimir Salnikov (who attended the meeting online), was rejected “as groundless and unfounded.”

And the president of our synchronized swimming federation, Olga Brusnikina, believes that it is, of course, a joy to remain members of World Aquatics, which is in no hurry to make radical decisions. But the fate of athletes and coaches does not make it easier: the uncertainty is very pressing.

Athletics locked up

The International Association of Athletics Federations (World Athletics) has already chosen the tactics of refraining from words, emotions and discussions. The congress of the organization will be held in a month in Budapest, but the issue of the return of Russians and Belarusians to international competitions is not on the agenda.

As the titled Sergey Shubenkov said, he is not worried about whether the IOC will allow us to the Olympic Games, but about whether there will be obstacles from World Athletics. “Our international federation is against Russia from beginning to end and is doing everything possible to make it difficult for us to participate and admit. Our suspensions were lightning-fast and decisive, there are no half-hearted decisions.”

There are no half-hearted ones, but the whole – not to allow – is. Yes, the All-Russian Athletics Federation regained its membership in World Athletics back in March, but at the same time, the WA Council decided, due to the situation in Ukraine, to ban Russians and Belarusians from participating in international competitions. And then he extended it “until further notice.” And now – nothing has been extended, it will simply resolve the issue, like the IOC with the invitation of Russia to the Olympic Games: “at the appropriate time.”

At the congress, where our representatives are not invited, the election of the leadership of World Athletics will also take place. President Sebastian Coe is running for a third term. The Briton headed World Athletics (then the organization was called the IAAF) in 2015. In 2019, he ran for a second term. Claims for the third announced a long time ago.

Coe himself is a two-time Olympic champion in the 1500 meters, a two-time silver medalist of the Games in the 800 meters, and a European champion. And he won his first Olympic gold in Moscow-80. Yes, I kissed the track at Luzhniki after the victory. And he performed under a neutral flag – and this also has a certain roll call of the times. And it works for Coe, on the subconscious or quite distinctly to itself, clearly not in our favor.

Coe also, he said, “certainly does not rule out” that he will run in the IOC presidential election in 2025. And he already says that anyone who assumes the role of president should ask some important questions. “Does the world of sport really understand the challenge it faces: its relevance, its relevance, its ability to navigate the most complex political landscape while sticking to its moral compass?”

Coe’s own ability to navigate the political landscape does not bode well for us. Without hiding behind superfluous words, he has long ago answered the question about the time for our athletes to enter international competitions: “when Russia leaves Ukraine.” And right now, when Thomas Bach is being pecked with might and main for his alleged softness in relation to Russia, it’s time to demonstrate that there are figures in sports who are able to show Russia a way out from everywhere.

Scaffold while still hope

And on Wednesday, July 19, a meeting of the Executive Committee of the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) will take place in Lausanne. Vasily Titov, President of the Artistic Gymnastics Federation of Russia and member of the FIG Executive Committee, will participate in its work. The question of the possibility of the return of Russians and Belarusians to tournaments is on the agenda.

In May, the Executive Committee postponed consideration of this issue. Will it postpone now? But the warming up of the negative degree has already begun: for example, the president of the German Gymnastics Federation, Alfons Helz, spoke out sharply against it. According to him, when the FIG consulted with the federations, his organization rejected the return of Russia and Belarus.

Arguments: incomprehensible criteria for neutral status – “how can an athlete from Russia be assigned the status of neutral?”. And concerns about Russia’s compliance with anti-doping rules. “I don’t see that we are dealing with a system that guarantees the fight against doping.” According to him, this leads to the fact that the athlete gains an advantage, and everyone else is at a disadvantage. There is no doubt that the German will have supporters, despite the vagueness of the argument. I would like to believe that we also have supporters on the platform.

…International federations behave as they want. And they don’t seem to be in control. After all, the IOC only issued recommendations: to return. But he can’t give orders, and it’s more convenient for the organization itself. But still, he can sometimes even stamp his foot. Not very loud, but at least that’s it. Here is new information from Inside the Games about the decisions of the IOC, which can be regarded as at least some kind of protection for Russia and Belarus. In June of the following year, London was considered by the IOC as one of the candidates for holding qualifying tournaments for the Olympic Games. It was there that breakdancing, skateboarding, rock climbing and BMX tournaments were to be held. But the British government has stated that our athletes will be able to compete in the country only after signing a declaration of neutrality.

Because of this, the IOC, which has repeatedly accused European governments of double standards (that they do not hear comments about their attitude towards the participation of athletes whose countries are involved in other armed conflicts), refused to hold pre-Olympic tournaments in London. They say the UK is upset.