Cruel test for world sport

Now things are getting really serious. Very serious, actually. And there is more at stake than just an event. It's about the continuation of the current order in world sport, which is clearly dominated by the Olympic Games. For the majority of athletes, success under the sign of the five rings is still the highest goal that one can strive for. There's a saying that always sticks in my mind: "If I had won gold instead of silver back then, my life would have been completely different afterwards." The German slalom runner Frank Wörndl once confessed this to me and of course he meant that a gold medal would be too would have worked great as a door opener. So some access remained closed to him. It was just second place, only silver behind Alberto Tomba. In Calgary 1988 he was still leading after the first run, but in the end Tomba was six hundredths faster. This attitude and insight from Wörndl may be representative of many whose lives are determined by sport. The Olympic sport, mind you, and its four-year rhythm, unless you happen to be able to be active in both summer and winter, which at least some have already achieved.

In a few months it will be that time again: the next Olympic Games are on the program in Paris. The opening ceremony will take place on the Seine, on a river. This isn't a joke, it's a fact. For this purpose, the water was subjected to a thorough cleaning, which went so far that even French President Emmanuel Macron announced that he would definitely take a few swims in the Seine. However, there will be no athletes from Russia and Belarus on the ships, which will then rock in the gentle waves. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has decided to allow athletes from these countries to participate under the existing restrictions: no national jersey (start as neutral athletes), no anthem at award ceremonies. Teams are not permitted and successes do not count towards the medal table. In addition, a commission must check that the participants from Russia and Belarus do not actively support the war against Ukraine and that they are not members of their country's army.

IOC President Bach in trouble Russia reacted to the latest decision from Lausanne with “outrage”. IOC President Thomas Bach responded quite shocked and meekly by his standards. He was quoted in the renowned French newspaper Le Monde as saying: “The aggressiveness of the Russian government is growing day by day. Against the IOC, against the Games, against me.” Bach, who was still close to Putin at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi (who initiated the annexation of Crimea, which belongs to Ukraine, during the closing ceremony), begins to have doubts for the first time.

Former partners, now far apart: Thomas Bach and Vladimir Putin. © APA/afp / SERGEI BOBYLYOV

The signs are now pointing towards confrontation, as Russia is planning so-called “friendly games”. This is nothing other than an alternative to the Olympic Games. States that are friendly with Russia should be invited and there are far more than one would think. This includes China, which politely congratulated the election manipulator Putin on his re-election. India, Iran, Venezuela, Cuba and Nicaragua also stood firmly by the Russian president. In contrast, no Western government congratulated. These possible “friendly games” will be a litmus test for the IOC, which has weathered many a storm in the past. What to do with IOC members who follow Putin's call? Should they be banned from attending Paris? The past has shown that any boycott was ultimately only to the detriment of the athletes and at some point time always resets the clock to the beginning. But never before has the situation in view of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine been as serious as it is this time. Sport, especially that which is controlled from Lausanne, is increasingly losing its previously strong ability to somehow mend political divisions. Even if it's just for two weeks. But that is also because many governments are letting the IOC down. The sanctions against Russia are being ignored by many Western states because for many, their shirt is closer than their skirt. Just one example: According to the FAZ, the share of Russian gas in total gas imports in Austria was 98 percent in December. Putin can use the income to produce new bombs.

Politics is also failing sport The ability to bypass many restrictions strengthens Putin, as does the European Union's apparent disagreement over continued and truly urgent support for Ukraine. It is simply not possible for the IOC and also France, as the soon-to-be organizer of the next Olympic Games, to compensate for the political failures in this issue. At the same time, Thomas Bach cannot close his eyes to the current circumstances. A ship with Russian athletes and one with athletes from Ukraine on the same river at the same time, perhaps only a few oar strokes apart, is an unthinkable scenario, since new bombs from Russia are probably flying into Ukraine at the same time, causing death and ruin bring. Paris will be a litmus test for the global community. However, I am not particularly optimistic about a positive outcome to this test.

About the author: Sigi Heinrich The award-winning sports journalist (including winner of the German Television Prize and the Bavarian Sports Prize), book author and Eurosport commentator from the pan-European broadcaster's first hour (1989) is at the microphone in Paris at his 15th Olympic Games. He always accompanied all opening and closing ceremonies. In his column “Sigi's Tips”, he dedicates himself to the entire diversity of the sport with all its fascinating facets. Sometimes with a smile and a wink, sometimes serious and thoughtful or deliberately provocative. There should be something for everyone.

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Cruel test for world sport

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has further increased restrictions against athletes from Russia and Belarus after Putin's pseudo-election and the death of regime critic Alexei Navalny. Our columnist Sigi Heinrich sees world sport facing its biggest test to date.

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