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Russia’s Doping Scandal Appears Unlikely to Tarnish Vladimir Putin Vladimir Putin Is Expected to Withstand Russia’s Doping Scandal
(about 1 hour later)
MOSCOW — Vladimir V. Putin embraced sports as a metaphor for a resurgent Russia soon after he first became president, declaring as he sent athletes off to the Olympic Games in 2000, “Victories in sport do more to cement the nation than 100 political slogans.”MOSCOW — Vladimir V. Putin embraced sports as a metaphor for a resurgent Russia soon after he first became president, declaring as he sent athletes off to the Olympic Games in 2000, “Victories in sport do more to cement the nation than 100 political slogans.”
Often a faithful disciple of his Soviet upbringing, Mr. Putin has coveted Olympic glory in particular. He made an unusual personal appeal to the International Olympic Committee to bring the 2014 Winter Games to the Black Sea resort city of Sochi, then poured a staggering $51 billion into the event. When Russia hauled in 33 medals — seven more than any other country — the public forgot its initial skepticism and Sochi became a personal and national triumph for Mr. Putin.Often a faithful disciple of his Soviet upbringing, Mr. Putin has coveted Olympic glory in particular. He made an unusual personal appeal to the International Olympic Committee to bring the 2014 Winter Games to the Black Sea resort city of Sochi, then poured a staggering $51 billion into the event. When Russia hauled in 33 medals — seven more than any other country — the public forgot its initial skepticism and Sochi became a personal and national triumph for Mr. Putin.
Now a spiraling doping scandal threatens to unravel that triumph, with the entire Russian Olympic team facing the prospect of a ban from next month’s Summer Games in Rio de Janeiro, and even the Sochi medals themselves coming under renewed scrutiny.Now a spiraling doping scandal threatens to unravel that triumph, with the entire Russian Olympic team facing the prospect of a ban from next month’s Summer Games in Rio de Janeiro, and even the Sochi medals themselves coming under renewed scrutiny.
But Russian analysts said Mr. Putin is unlikely to be severely scarred, as he manages the crisis with his standard dual track: a message of at least modest cooperation for the international community, while feeding Russians the standard line that the West is perpetually plotting against them.But Russian analysts said Mr. Putin is unlikely to be severely scarred, as he manages the crisis with his standard dual track: a message of at least modest cooperation for the international community, while feeding Russians the standard line that the West is perpetually plotting against them.
The sports scandal is just the latest in a series of skirmishes between the Kremlin and the West, as Mr. Putin tries to revive Russia’s role as a global force. Others include Russia’s military intervention in Syria to bolster President Bashar al-Assad; the downing of a civilian passenger jet over Ukraine that has been widely attributed to Russian-backed rebels; the seizure of Crimea; and domestic laws seen as stifling dissent and encouraging homophobia, among other ills.The sports scandal is just the latest in a series of skirmishes between the Kremlin and the West, as Mr. Putin tries to revive Russia’s role as a global force. Others include Russia’s military intervention in Syria to bolster President Bashar al-Assad; the downing of a civilian passenger jet over Ukraine that has been widely attributed to Russian-backed rebels; the seizure of Crimea; and domestic laws seen as stifling dissent and encouraging homophobia, among other ills.
The Kremlin’s response so far to the doping controversy has been somewhat muted, as Mr. Putin no doubt hopes to still be able to send Russia’s 387 athletes to Rio de Janeiro. He also likely wants to avoid escalating tensions again, just as it seems the Western economic sanctions imposed in 2014 over the crisis in Ukraine might not be extended.The Kremlin’s response so far to the doping controversy has been somewhat muted, as Mr. Putin no doubt hopes to still be able to send Russia’s 387 athletes to Rio de Janeiro. He also likely wants to avoid escalating tensions again, just as it seems the Western economic sanctions imposed in 2014 over the crisis in Ukraine might not be extended.
The World Anti-Doping Agency, or WADA, issued a report on Monday condemning a widespread, government-sponsored doping program across Russian sports, based on testimony from the former head of Russia’s national antidoping lab. Mr. Putin quickly issued a statement promising that Russia would suspend the officials named in the WADA report and conduct its own investigation — even as he suggested the whole affair was a political witch hunt orchestrated by the United States.The World Anti-Doping Agency, or WADA, issued a report on Monday condemning a widespread, government-sponsored doping program across Russian sports, based on testimony from the former head of Russia’s national antidoping lab. Mr. Putin quickly issued a statement promising that Russia would suspend the officials named in the WADA report and conduct its own investigation — even as he suggested the whole affair was a political witch hunt orchestrated by the United States.
Russia’s entire track and field team has been barred from competing in Rio, the most severe punishment for doping in Olympic history.Russia’s entire track and field team has been barred from competing in Rio, the most severe punishment for doping in Olympic history.
Despite the importance of sports to Russian society and to Mr. Putin’s persona, analysts said that Russian citizens were not likely to blame their leader for the scandal.Despite the importance of sports to Russian society and to Mr. Putin’s persona, analysts said that Russian citizens were not likely to blame their leader for the scandal.
“Sochi is perceived as an unquestionable success,” said Aleksei Makarkin, deputy head of the Center for Political Technologies, a Moscow research organization. “People believe in it like a religion, and perceive criticism of it as a form of infidelity.”“Sochi is perceived as an unquestionable success,” said Aleksei Makarkin, deputy head of the Center for Political Technologies, a Moscow research organization. “People believe in it like a religion, and perceive criticism of it as a form of infidelity.”
Since the Soviet era, Russians have considered outwitting rules that hampered their lives something of an art form, so the public is rarely shocked when it turns out that government institutions do the same.Since the Soviet era, Russians have considered outwitting rules that hampered their lives something of an art form, so the public is rarely shocked when it turns out that government institutions do the same.
“Foreigners are outraged and surprised that the Russian government interferes in sports in a most brazen way,” Georgy Yans, a journalist, wrote in an online column for the Ekho Moskvy radio station. Russians are used to it, he said, comparing it to the falsification of election results, a national phenomenon that carries few consequences.“Foreigners are outraged and surprised that the Russian government interferes in sports in a most brazen way,” Georgy Yans, a journalist, wrote in an online column for the Ekho Moskvy radio station. Russians are used to it, he said, comparing it to the falsification of election results, a national phenomenon that carries few consequences.
Russians have also long been conditioned to view sports as an extension of global competition, with opponents willing to do anything to win. “Sports have been a source of national pride since Soviet times,” said Mr. Makarkin. “Sports is an imitation of war — it is peaceful, without arms, but there is fierce rivalry in it. Sports demonstrate that Russia is a great power.”Russians have also long been conditioned to view sports as an extension of global competition, with opponents willing to do anything to win. “Sports have been a source of national pride since Soviet times,” said Mr. Makarkin. “Sports is an imitation of war — it is peaceful, without arms, but there is fierce rivalry in it. Sports demonstrate that Russia is a great power.”
As an example, earlier this year, Russia’s reputation in international sports took a beating over the violence perpetrated by Russian hooligans during the European Championship soccer tournament in France, with three Russian men given lengthy jail sentences.As an example, earlier this year, Russia’s reputation in international sports took a beating over the violence perpetrated by Russian hooligans during the European Championship soccer tournament in France, with three Russian men given lengthy jail sentences.
But back home, the jailed men earned praise. One Parliament deputy posted on Twitter: “Can see no big deal in a brawl between fans. On the contrary, our boys did nice work. Way to go!”But back home, the jailed men earned praise. One Parliament deputy posted on Twitter: “Can see no big deal in a brawl between fans. On the contrary, our boys did nice work. Way to go!”
In Russia, the scandal that reverberated for weeks was that the national team was eliminated in the tournament’s group stage.In Russia, the scandal that reverberated for weeks was that the national team was eliminated in the tournament’s group stage.
Mr. Putin has personally identified himself with sporting prowess. His closest friends date from his days mastering judo as a young man in St. Petersburg, and he took up hockey — the most popular sport in Russia — after becoming president.Mr. Putin has personally identified himself with sporting prowess. His closest friends date from his days mastering judo as a young man in St. Petersburg, and he took up hockey — the most popular sport in Russia — after becoming president.
This time, analysts said they expected the Kremlin to scapegoat a few to contain the damage, but that Russia’s broader reaction to foreign sports sanctions would follow a pattern similar to what was seen with the economic sanctions: Blame Washington.This time, analysts said they expected the Kremlin to scapegoat a few to contain the damage, but that Russia’s broader reaction to foreign sports sanctions would follow a pattern similar to what was seen with the economic sanctions: Blame Washington.
Accusations of an American plot are already widespread.Accusations of an American plot are already widespread.
“Probably the U.S. is behind this,” Dmitry Svishchev, the head of the sports committee in the Duma, the lower house of Russia’s Parliament, told the Interfax news agency. “It is very similar to the economic sanctions introduced against us — a few countries united against us using some kind of excuse and unconfirmed facts.”“Probably the U.S. is behind this,” Dmitry Svishchev, the head of the sports committee in the Duma, the lower house of Russia’s Parliament, told the Interfax news agency. “It is very similar to the economic sanctions introduced against us — a few countries united against us using some kind of excuse and unconfirmed facts.”
Skeptics said the antidoping group had presented scant proof, and complained that all Russian athletes were being unfairly tainted with the same brush.Skeptics said the antidoping group had presented scant proof, and complained that all Russian athletes were being unfairly tainted with the same brush.
On the doping issue, Mr. Markakin said, Russians are divided into two camps: those who think that the Russian athletes are innocent, and those who think that, if they are guilty, they were just doing what the rest of the world does.On the doping issue, Mr. Markakin said, Russians are divided into two camps: those who think that the Russian athletes are innocent, and those who think that, if they are guilty, they were just doing what the rest of the world does.
This form of “whataboutism” has been rife under Mr. Putin — he often responds to criticism of Russia by suggesting that the United States is worse.This form of “whataboutism” has been rife under Mr. Putin — he often responds to criticism of Russia by suggesting that the United States is worse.
In his statement on Monday, Mr. Putin warned about the dangers of a “schism” of the kind that saw the West boycott the 1980 Summer Games in Moscow and the Soviet Union then shun the Los Angeles Games four years later. Back then, the Soviet Union organized the Friendship Games as an alternative.In his statement on Monday, Mr. Putin warned about the dangers of a “schism” of the kind that saw the West boycott the 1980 Summer Games in Moscow and the Soviet Union then shun the Los Angeles Games four years later. Back then, the Soviet Union organized the Friendship Games as an alternative.
Some in Russia have called for a similar response now. Vsevolod Chaplin, a high-profile Russian Orthodox priest, wrote a column on the tabloid website Life.Ru suggesting that Russia should create its own athletic event based on “martial prowess” rather than the “Utopian, quasi-pacifist guidelines” of the Olympic movement.Some in Russia have called for a similar response now. Vsevolod Chaplin, a high-profile Russian Orthodox priest, wrote a column on the tabloid website Life.Ru suggesting that Russia should create its own athletic event based on “martial prowess” rather than the “Utopian, quasi-pacifist guidelines” of the Olympic movement.
Aside from building national pride and international respect, sports has buttressed a third pillar of Mr. Putin’s rule. Being selected to host the Olympics and other events like the 2018 World Cup soccer tournament meant commissioning megaprojects that feed the elite patronage network for Kremlin supporters.Aside from building national pride and international respect, sports has buttressed a third pillar of Mr. Putin’s rule. Being selected to host the Olympics and other events like the 2018 World Cup soccer tournament meant commissioning megaprojects that feed the elite patronage network for Kremlin supporters.
If such projects were a metaphor for prestige during the Soviet era, in post-Soviet Russia they have become a feeding frenzy for Kremlin cronies. At Sochi, a single road cost $8 billion, roughly what Vancouver, British Columbia, paid for the entire 2010 Winter Games. (Mr. Putin sometimes refers to the companies building megaprojects as “national champions” and distributes medals to their owners.)If such projects were a metaphor for prestige during the Soviet era, in post-Soviet Russia they have become a feeding frenzy for Kremlin cronies. At Sochi, a single road cost $8 billion, roughly what Vancouver, British Columbia, paid for the entire 2010 Winter Games. (Mr. Putin sometimes refers to the companies building megaprojects as “national champions” and distributes medals to their owners.)
Boris Nemtsov, an opposition politician who was assassinated in 2015, once called Sochi “a festival of corruption,” estimating that contractors skimmed at least half the costs.Boris Nemtsov, an opposition politician who was assassinated in 2015, once called Sochi “a festival of corruption,” estimating that contractors skimmed at least half the costs.
A few voices have demanded that the government leverage the latest scandal to clean up Russian sports. Pavel Kopachev and Aleksei Avdokhin, both sports journalists, complained that athletes and coaches involved in doping never suffer any consequences, noting that a skier was once stripped of her medal but later rewarded with a seat on the Moscow regional council.A few voices have demanded that the government leverage the latest scandal to clean up Russian sports. Pavel Kopachev and Aleksei Avdokhin, both sports journalists, complained that athletes and coaches involved in doping never suffer any consequences, noting that a skier was once stripped of her medal but later rewarded with a seat on the Moscow regional council.
As in Soviet times, the Russian government lavishes free, spacious apartments and luxury cars on the country’s elite athletes.As in Soviet times, the Russian government lavishes free, spacious apartments and luxury cars on the country’s elite athletes.
“The avalanche of doping scandals in Russia is 90 percent politics, the rest is our fault,” Mr. Kopachev and Mr. Avdokhin wrote. “It is important to talk about this fault. Not to silence the approaching catastrophe with hysteria, not to nod at the T.V. set searching for those to blame (‘Americans, of course!’), but to see the problems in ourselves.”“The avalanche of doping scandals in Russia is 90 percent politics, the rest is our fault,” Mr. Kopachev and Mr. Avdokhin wrote. “It is important to talk about this fault. Not to silence the approaching catastrophe with hysteria, not to nod at the T.V. set searching for those to blame (‘Americans, of course!’), but to see the problems in ourselves.”
During the Cold War, Olympic medals became part of the competition between capitalist and communist ideologies. The ideological aspect is gone, but the tensions have been reformatted.During the Cold War, Olympic medals became part of the competition between capitalist and communist ideologies. The ideological aspect is gone, but the tensions have been reformatted.
“Doping is a way to achieve victories in sports,” wrote Andrei Kolesnikov, of the Carnegie Moscow Center, in an op-ed for the news website RBC.ru. “For Russia, victories in sports are a matter of national importance. Sports are part of our ‘soft power.’”“Doping is a way to achieve victories in sports,” wrote Andrei Kolesnikov, of the Carnegie Moscow Center, in an op-ed for the news website RBC.ru. “For Russia, victories in sports are a matter of national importance. Sports are part of our ‘soft power.’”