Isolation from international competition has been a hard blow to numerous sports in Russia, even if the country’s political leadership likes to claim otherwise. For example, only a faint memory remains of the athletics success of the eastern neighbor in recent years.
A return to international arenas is indeed the big dream of those in power who like sports, which is now being chased by the Minister of Sports Mikhail Degtyarov under.
Degtyarjov, 43, who served as governor of Khabarovsk, was named sports minister in spring 2024 prime minister by Mihail Mishustin of the proposal. Since then, Degtyarjov has been on a roll.
Many high-class sports bosses have noticed that their position has weakened or crumbled completely in the era of the new sports minister. The biggest upheaval has been seen in the Russian Olympic Committee, of which Minister Degtyarjov became the chairman a month ago.
It is a rare double role, even in Russia, where political gamblers seek power.
Degtjarjov’s Olympic committee wash was followed by a proper clean-up movement: the former chairman and the Olympic champion in fencing were allowed to leave the board of the Olympic Committee Stanislav Pozdnyakova former ME man in swimming Vladimir Salnikov and a multiple prize winner in skiing Jelena Välbe.
Also a legendary gymnastics coach Irina Viner noticed that times have changed. Viner lost his position as chairman of the Russian Gymnastics Federation and member of the state committee responsible for the development of the sport.
No more threats
The names listed above have a few things in common above others.
According to their words, they are passionate patriots and the president Vladimir Putin great friends of the administration. They often end up in the headlines with their harsh and anti-Western comments.
They have also strongly objected to appearing with a neutral status in international games and called the Russian athletes who competed in Paris, for example, traitors.
Degtyarjov has made it clear that such pressure can no longer be afforded.
After becoming the head of the Olympic Committee, the minister announced that Russian athletes follow international restrictions and rules. The public lynching of the International Olympic Committee and the barking of foreign colleagues would also end.
– There has been a huge change in the rhetoric of sports leaders during Degtjarjov’s time. Now bosses like Jelena Välbe remain silent, because they have no other options, editor-in-chief of Rosbalt-media, who has had a long career in Russian sports journalism Nikolai Yaryomenko says to Urheilu.
A new era of skiing?
The position of the 14-time world champion Välbe, who has led the Russian Ski Federation since 2010, has been a hot topic of conversation recently.
The 56-year-old ski boss has been a powder keg in his public outings, not really caring about the consequences. Last fall, Välbenki’s yardstick was a major overshoot, when News.ru website the reporter asked him when Russian athletes will be seen in international competitions without restrictions.
– I feel that if we drop a bomb in the center of London, all this will end and we will be allowed everywhere, Välbe answered.
Välbe later explained that it was a joke, but no one in Russia’s highest sports leadership was amused.
Well-known TV commentator Dmitry Guberniev severely criticized the skiing legend and announced several times that this era at the top of the popular sport is coming to an end.
The relationship between Gubernijev and Välbe has been icy for years, but now the words of the famous TV personality have a completely different weight. Sports Minister Degtyarjov appointed Gubernijev as his personal advisor at the end of the year.
– It was a clear message from the minister. I would believe that Välbe’s career development is unlikely to accelerate in the future, long-time sports journalist Nikolai Yarjomenko estimates.
The harsh facts
What are the aims of all the changes?
The Russian government has publicly hinted at a full-scale return to international competition events. A softer public image is hoped to accelerate this goal, although it is clear to most that a full return will not be seen as long as the country is at war in Ukraine.
The overall picture of Russian sports has become darker year by year. The 2014 Sochi Winter Games are the last Olympic Games where no restrictions were imposed on the country’s athletes. Since then, the main focus has been on doping scandals and war crimes instead of sporting success.
The current state of isolation has forced Russian sports bosses to face an unpleasant prospect.
Own alternative sports events have not convinced. The BRICS competitions organized in Kazan in the summer fell far short of their goal of participants and spectators. The Friendship Games, planned for the fall and marketed with enthusiasm by President Putin, were postponed to an unspecified future.
The international sports business has continued to operate even without the great power of the East.
– The Paris Olympics showed that the Olympic movement is strong. At the same time, it became clear that the Olympic Games cannot be undermined by any individual Friendship Games, a researcher from the University of Turku who closely follows the events in Russia Pia Koivunen says.
All of the above has forced Degtjarjov and his teams to look for new ways and solutions. International partners are now approached with a much more diplomatic approach than a year ago.
However, you shouldn’t be fooled by the new type of negotiation.
Under the leadership of Mihail Degtyarjov, the following political names familiar to Finns have taken up new leadership positions in sports: Arkady Rotenberg, Gennady Timchenko, Dmitry Mazepin…
All long-term power holders in Russia – and Vladimir Putin’s close associates.