Sport counteracts politics

There is no knowledge of any telephone conversation between Presidents Vladimir Putin and Thomas Bach. One is President of Russia, the other heads the largest sporting institution, the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Both know each other quite well so far. After all, Putin hosted the Summer Olympics in Sochi in 2014. Incidentally, the most expensive games ever organized. Both of them stood close together at the closing ceremony, which is entirely logical. They were very grateful to each other. Bach had great games and Putin had the associated propaganda that was intended to show once again what great achievements his country is capable of. Immediately after the end, Putin expanded his country to include Crimea, which is actually constitutionally part of Ukraine. Still, by the way. But in the frenzy of the medal rush a fortnight earlier, the annexation of Crimea was only accompanied by loud political saber-rattling. However, there were no intensive sanctions. There wasn't much shooting and no bombs fell. Putin annexed Crimea relatively easily. One day after the end of the Olympic Games in Sochi, which was apparently also a diversionary tactic. All eyes were on the tobogganers, skiers, biathletes and figure skaters, while planning was probably underway to reach Crimea.

Back to the naturally possible fictitious exchange of ideas between Putin and Bach. The Russian president, whose war of aggression against Ukraine appears to be getting out of control, has announced a partial mobilization. This, it is clear, now makes it clear to the Russian population, even in the farthest reaches of Siberia, that their country has started a war. And at almost the same moment, the IOC announced that it would make efforts to bring the Russian and Belarusian athletes back into the Olympic family. Discussions should take place. The Frenchman Michel Vion, former president of the French Ski Association and now the new Secretary General of the International Ski Federation (FIS), has gone out of his way. He would follow Bach's direction completely. Perhaps, he said at an event in Kranjska Gora (Slovenia) in front of sports journalists, this could even be achieved by December. After all, he pointed out that the athletes from both countries would have to start without their insignia. According to Vion, a corresponding proposal is on the table. And then he added a sentence that seems to have fallen out of place: “Sport should be viewed independently of politics.” The question after this statement may be asked: What world does Vion live in?

Biathlete Alexander Loginov & Co. will not be allowed to compete next winter.

Just a few days ago, an Iranian wrestler was not allowed to compete against an Israeli opponent at the World Wrestling Championships in Belgrade. Sport has nothing to do with politics? It was not, as officially announced, that the Iranian was too strong, but a clear instruction from Tehran to refuse this fight. And aren't all major sporting events always about the medal count, which is supposed to document the country's strength, regardless of what political background you come from? Sport is a showcase, which is why political celebrities always happily gather together when major finals are on the program. Then the usual tensions dissolve in the bubbling of the champagne glasses.

Now, of course, the statement by the FIS Secretary General is a fatal signal. More and more sanctions are being called for against Russia and Belarus after Putin wants to expand the war. In return, neither the IOC nor any other sports organization can and must launch an offensive that counteracts the political decisions. The opposite should be the case. With the partial mobilization and the clear commitment to war against Ukraine and thus against the free world, Vladimir Putin is putting himself on the sidelines. The decision in sport should therefore be clear and was also derived from the football rules. Anyone who is offside cannot score a goal and in this serious case should not even be allowed to play.

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Sport counteracts politics

While it becomes clear after the announcement of a partial mobilization in Russia that the war against Ukraine is to be intensified, sporting institutions are thinking about easing the ban on Russian and Belarusian athletes, which would be a fatal signal for our columnist Sigi Heinrich.

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