Since the end of February, each international sports federation has interpreted the IOC sanctions against Russia at its own discretion. In the vast majority, of course, the officials tried to follow the recommendations of Thomas Bach and therefore deprived our athletes of the right to compete in tournaments.

This is largely due to specific leaders who are happy to follow the Russophobic line. But there was a misfire with the International SAMBO Federation: Russian athletes will compete at the European Championships in Serbia.

And even the manipulations of Ukrainian athletes will not change anything.

Castling

The European Sambo Championship among men and women is held every year. But due to the pandemic, the tournament took a break for two years. In 2020, it was supposed to take place in Yekaterinburg, but it was postponed. In 2021, the tournament also did not take place due to the reincarnation of the coronavirus, and in 2022 Russia was deprived of the right to organize this competition.

The tournament was transferred to the Serbian Novi Sad, where it will be held from 14 to 19 September. At some point, our leaders even considered the option of holding alternative competitions in the new sambo and martial arts palace in Verkhnyaya Pyshma. However, in early July, the first vice-president of the international federation, Sergei Eliseev, reassured the fans:

— The Russians will take part in the Beach SAMBO World Championship in Israel in August, in the unified European Championship in Serbia, and in the World Youth Championship in October in Yerevan. And, of course, in the adult world championship, which will be held on the eve of Sambo Day in Kyrgyzstan. Preparations for the tournament are underway, everyone has already confirmed their participation in the competition,” he said.

Sergey Eliseev / Photo: © RIA Novosti / Nina Zotina

It turned out to be a kind of castling: they lost their home tournament, but retained the right to play, albeit in a neutral status. We are no longer used to this.

This is our sport

By the beginning of September, it finally became clear to all interested parties that no one was going to remove Russian and Belarusian athletes. And then the Sambo Federation of Ukraine launched its favorite method – blackmail:

– We, athletes, specialists and coaches of the federation, declare our refusal to participate in the European Championship. The decision is related to the admission of Russian and Belarusian athletes, the official website of the organization says.

An attempt to show the whole world and the federation itself that it is worth making a choice: either we or them. However, this manipulation did not change anything. The international federation simply sympathized that the tournament would not be able to bring together all the strongest:

“Sport brings people together. And, even despite this situation, life goes on – sport will always serve to bring athletes from different countries closer together. I hope that in the future Ukrainian athletes will take part in European and world championships and other competitions,” the president of the federation said in an interview with RIA Novosti.

Vasily Shestakov / Photo: © RIA Novosti / Mikhail Voskresensky

An unusual comment in current realities. But this is only at first glance. The thing is that the management of both world and European SAMBO is carried out by Russians. The head of the international organization is Vasily Shestakov, and the European branch is managed by the above-mentioned Sergey Eliseev.

However, do not look for malicious intent in this. Sambo, in fact, is a Soviet sport. It was from our country that the popularization of self-defense without weapons began, therefore it is quite reasonable to see compatriots at the head of the governing bodies.

Will the IOC punish?

We managed to defend the right to compete at international competitions, but what consequences this decision will have in terms of Olympic hopes is a big question. The drama is that a year ago the Sambo Federation received permanent recognition from the IOC. After decades of struggle!

Even before the Olympics-80, we hoped to include this sport in the program of the Games, but failed. In 2009, Vasily Shestakov revived the attempt and 12 years later he achieved what he wanted. We have real chances to see Russian sambists at the 2028 Games in Los Angeles:

– We will work on it. Right now we are discussing how to take this step so that we get into the Olympic program. Now it is already real, the situation is very favorable. It’s already difficult to get to the Games in Paris, but I think there are chances in Los Angeles, ”Shestakov said enthusiastically a year ago.

Photo: © SOPA Images / Contributor / LightRocket / Gettyimages.ru

However, how will the IOC now react to the decision of the federation, contrary to the wishes of Bach and his colleagues? Will the organization create obstacles for Shestakov? Whatever one may say, the IOC has a reason for the next manipulations. Covered on all sides.