Banning Russian Teams and Athletes

Speaking Tuesday to legislators in London about Wimbledon, British Sports Minister Nigel Huddleston said: "Absolutely nobody flying the flag for Russia should be allowed. Many of us would be willing and able to [allow them to] compete as non-aligned, non-flag-bearing entities. But I think it needs to go beyond that. We need some potential assurances that they are not supporters of Vladimir Putin and we are considering what requirements we may need to try and get some assurances along those lines."
(source = https://www.cbc.ca/sports/tennis/wimbledon-british-government-in-talks-about-russian-players-1.6386102)

The invasion of Ukraine by Russia has sparked much debate in the world of sports.  Should Russian teams be banned from competing?  Should individual Russian athletes be banned?  Should teams of athletes be allowed to compete but without flag, uniform, country name, anthem, etc.?

Some athletes have said that it is unfair to mix politics and sports.  They rightly state that they have trained for years and being deprived of their right to compete is unfair.  They again state that they are not responsible for the actions of the Russian government.

It is indeed unfortunate for athletes to pay the price for the actions of the government of Russia.  Having said that, many non-athletes are paying the price.  Those living in Ukraine, Ukrainians expatriates, millions of refugees created by the war, Russian families who are losing their children to war, Russian citizens who are living in a country which is now impacted by sanctions and Russian expatriates around the world.  On top of that, the world is being impacted due to the impact the war is having on food and energy prices.  In other words people are paying the price....a price they did not ask to pay and do not want to pay.

Sports has always been mixed with politics, whether at the regional, national or global level.  Professional teams and sporting events are located in places that have subsidized the building of stadiums or given them tax breaks.  In addition to that many of the largest sporting events of the world (FIFA World Cup, Olympics, F1 Grand Prix races) are often contested in countries with dubious records.  Money talks.  The reasoning often given is that these events bring the world together or have some positive influence on the ruling regime of the host country.  I call bullshit to these statements.  Regimes don't suddenly become less autocratic, more open or friendlier because they host one of these sporting events.  To boot most of the benefits don't flow to the citizens but rather into the coffers of the rulers or their buddies who gain valuable contracts to build facilities for and service the events and the tourists they attract.

So, sorry to say, but politics and sports are mixed.

Russian athletes need to feel the pain.  I am especially talking to those who are living a life of privilege in Monaco, Monte Carlo, the USA, in Europe or any other country where they get to live a life they would not be able to live in their motherland.  

Now, having said all of this I disagree with the UK government statement I quote at the top of this post.  Individual athletes should not have to make a statement where they explicitly say they are against the Russian regime and Vladimir Putin.  Doing this might endanger the lives of those who do renounce Putin and puts undue pressure on individual choice.  Rather I say ban them.  It should not be left to the individual.  

All sports federations, all leagues should ban Russian athletes and teams.  These individuals need to also feel a certain amount of pain from the terrible decisions of their government.  There has been too much inconsistency in the world of sport and this needs to change.

I know it sounds simplistic, but ultimately Russians need to be made to feel enough pain that they will risk doing what it takes to revolt and change the regime in Moscow.  As it stands, for most Russians, the choice between revolt and status quo has been simple - the status quo wins the day.  Of course I understand this as revolt means jail or worse.  The status quo is not bad enough yet.  It needs to become unacceptable to Russians so that the trigger of revolt is pulled and the risk is worth the potential reward.  Russians need to decide their government.  Since democracy is not available to them the street is their only tool.  They need to be made willing to hit the streets.

Let me know what you think about what you have just read. Please and thanks!