Politics in sports
18.03.2022
![Valeriya Ivanova](https://m.osport.pro/imagecache/user-normal/93E0903F-0FF8-43DD-BA1F-9FB12647FD0B.jpeg)
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Valeriya Ivanova
Politics or business?
What is hidden behind the total disqualification of Russian and Belarusian athletes
![Politics or business?](https://m.osport.pro/imagecache/material-big/image/matpics/osport_2022.03.16_medvedev.jpg)
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Case #1
Suspension of the national team of Russia and Belarus from participation in the Paralympic Games 2022 in Beijing
The participation of athletes from Russia and Belarus could provoke the disruption of the Games, because Norway, Latvia and a number of other countries refused to compete against Russia (Norway, Latvia, etc.). The current situation is very reminiscent of the case of 1980 and 1984, when, due to the political situation, the USA and more than 50 allied countries took turns boycotting the Olympic Games. However, 40 years ago, even such a global boycott could not cause the Games to be canceled or transferred to another country, because. such decisions went against the Olympic spirit.
Now the Organizers, by limiting the participation of national teams, avoided a large-scale destruction of the entire competitive process. The games could turn into a farce. Now only 2 teams suffer, not the entire competition.
From the point of view of legal justification, disqualification is legal, because the Constitution contains a clause that the International Paralympic Committee “may, at its discretion, at any time refuse to participate in any athlete without indicating grounds” — convenient, isn't it?
We realize that the Paralympics is not a business, but a political platform. And you and I, dear readers, should look at the composition of the Governing Body in order to understand who made this decision and why (https://www.paralympic.org/ipc-governing-board).
Case #2
Russian hockey players continue to play in the NHL, why?
We all remember that the NHL is a commercial league where private teams compete, and athletes are a source of income. Professional sports, in which, along with sports results, above all commercial success (attitude of the audience and spectacle) is valued, has always existed separately from Olympic sports. The NHL has been simply ignoring any decisions of the IOC for years now, and continues to build its business. The United States within its own country does not infringe on its own successful business and does not deprive itself and the audience of main stars of the league.
Case #3
The situation in tennis
Athletes from Russia continue to participate in the ATP tour with a neutral flag. Of course, everyone knows that they are from Russia. 4 Russian athletes are in the TOP 30 tennis players of the world, and each of their appearances at a certain competition creates extensive advertising (also their personal international sponsors). Separately, we can mention the performances of the first racket of the world, Daniila Medvedev, at grand slam tournaments. He alone creates fantastic citations for the world's media.
Again, in the ATP Executive Committee there is a Russian who is ready to defend the interests of athletes, but apparently they had to bargain ...
How unique are the decisions in relation to the Russians in sports?
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