Pozdnyakov is far from being the first sports official to have decided to enter politics. Previously, very harsh statements were made by the President of the Russian Ski Racing Federation (FLGR) Elena Vyalbe and the President of the All-Russian Rhythmic Gymnastics Federation (VFKhG) Irina Viner.
In fact, Pozdniakov only continued what he had started. It was not for nothing that he remembered Wiener’s words. Nevertheless, the visit of the head of the ROC was surprising.
Athletes are foreign agents
For some unknown reason, Pozdnyakov decided to criticize tennis players. The reason is probably simple: they are absolutely independent and also do not live in Russia, which allows them to travel and say what they think.
Daniil Medvedev and Andrei Rublev
“Currently, a discussion has developed in the public space between Irina Viner and representatives of tennis regarding performance at the Olympic Games in neutral status.
I would like to emphasize that I share and support Irina Alexandrovna’s position: our opinions here completely coincide. The only thing I disagree with is the definition of a “homeless team”, especially in the case of tennis players who live abroad most of the time, earning money there. money and at the same time claim that they are “playing for themselves” and condemn the policies of their country and the Central Military District.
So, from my point of view, it would be more correct to say “a team of foreign agents”. For whom there will certainly be no obstacle to representing themselves at the Olympic Games. In addition, Olympic individual entrepreneurship is now actively encouraged from Lausanne.
I sincerely respect the achievements of the masters of the courts, but from a human and civil point of view, our approaches to the current situation are diametrically opposed,” Pozdniakov wrote.
Pozdnyakov’s passage itself is astonishing. Russian officials and journalists have repeatedly criticized IOC President Thomas Bach and leaders of various federations for politicizing sport. And they criticized him rightly. But isn’t Mr. Pozdniakov doing the same thing in this case?
Once again, his very position should mean that he supports the Olympians and does not get involved in political conflicts. But it seems that Pozdniakov was too impressed by the rhetoric of representatives of political talk shows on television and at the Foreign Ministry.
Earlier, Wiener had delivered a similarly powerful speech. She even called athletes without a flag or anthem a “homeless team.” But if everything was clear with Wiener for a long time, Pozdniakov’s rhetoric came as a surprise.
Let us just remind that the daughter of the head of the ROC, Sofya Pozdnyakova, became the Olympic champion in saber fencing at the 2020 Games in Tokyo (Japan). There the Russian team also performed without a flag or anthem. It turns out that the daughter of the head of the ROC was part of the “homeless team,” as Wiener put it.
Pozdnyakov with his daughter
Pozdniakov probably got too carried away with patriotism. It is difficult to find another explanation for such a speech by the head of the ROC. But he must remember what function is assigned to his organization. The head of the ROC clearly forgot this.
Even Peskov had to speak
Hitting tennis players is doubly unpleasant. It is in tennis that international federations have demonstrated maximum independence from politicians. Russian tennis players have been operating discreetly in a neutral status for two years and no particular restrictions are imposed on them. When Wimbledon organizers suspended the Russians and Belarusians, the WTA and ATP immediately gave British officials a slap on the wrist, intimidated by the status of the world’s most prestigious tournament.
At the same time, it is clear that for those who play patriotism, Daniil Medvedev, Andrei Rublev and Daria Kasatkina are figures from the opposition camp. They did not participate in the Luzhniki concert rally, did not speak publicly about the Northern Military District and generally called, directly or indirectly, for immediate peace. In Kasatkina’s case, the irritation is completely twofold, taking into account her personal life. Moreover, the athletes themselves have already openly declared their intention and desire to participate in the Olympic Games, despite the absence of a flag and anthem.
I’m glad that in the flood of information warfare and filth that has poured out over the last few years, there have been people who have stood up for athletes. Honored figure skating coach of the USSR Tatiana Tarasova spoke very harshly about Pozdniakov’s words.
“A great, high-ranking man says such things. If people travel in such conditions, they are already in a difficult situation. Why should they add words from their own people, from the leaders of the sport? What right do we have -us to condemn Who gave such a right to Pozdniakov “No one, although he was a big boss for some time,” Tarasova quotes RIA Novosti.
Commentator Dmitry Guberniev reacted negatively to Pozdniakov’s comments.
“No one has the right to call people foreign agents without a decision of the relevant authorities. This is a very strange statement from Pozdnyakov. Moreover, when it comes to a person who is the face of the Russian sport – Daniil Medvedev. This is a famous statement and the legendary Russian champion Medvedev participated in the Grand Slam final and won major tournaments. Why say this about respected people? – Sport-Express quotes Guberniev.
Pozdnyakov was criticized by former biathlete Alexander Tikhonov, head of the wrestling federation Mikhail Mamiashvili, ex-biathlete Dmitry Vasiliev and others.
Famous commentator Alexei Andronov even said that Pozdnyakov betrayed the sport.
“Pozdniakov’s words are offensive, they are unacceptable in a decent society. But in a decent society they do not publicly mock their son-in-law when they talk about ‘selling their homeland for a latte.’
You see, Pozdniakov is no one anymore. Zero. OCD has nothing to do with Rublev or Kasatkina’s participation in the Olympics.
Who is Daniel Medvedev? The whole world knows him. The world knew Pozdnyakov (he is truly a great athlete), but it has long forgotten him.
Today Pozdnyakov betrayed the sport. Tarasova and Guberniev are talking to him about it,” Andronov wrote on social media.
Even Dmitry Peskov, press secretary to Russian President Vladimir Putin, had to intervene in the situation.
“Russian tennis players defend the Russian flag with honor, even if they compete without it, we will rejoice in the victories of all Russian athletes at the Olympic Games,” Peskov said, according to RIA Novosti.
Let’s hope that Pozdnyakov will come to his senses a little and move on to more important sports matters. Otherwise, it’s time to resign from the post of head of the ROC and look for a place on television.
Anton Mozgovoy, Athletistic
Source: Sport
I’m Todderic Kirkman, a journalist and author for athletistic. I specialize in covering all news related to sports, ranging from basketball to football and everything in between. With over 10 years of experience in the industry, I have become an invaluable asset to my team. My ambition is to bring the most up-to-date information on sports topics around the world.
