Svetlana Zhurova explained why Vladimir Putin did not mention sports in his message.
– The message of the President meets the needs of the people. What is priority in terms of the agenda, what people consider important, is what the president reflects in his speech.
If you ask me, I know both from citizens’ appeals and from the intensity of the discussion that the main topics now are the special operation, the fate of the mobilized, their families, the economy, social policy, and the development of the country.
Probably, some of the athletes are offended that nothing was said about sports. Although Vladimir Vladimirovich remembered this topic a couple of times. But what is required of the sports industry, it does, I know that. Within the framework of what was previously spoken and discussed. This means that we are working so well that the President of Russia did not voice the issues of sports.
Still, there are some critical things, very important things that excite people more. Same unemployment. Or how he walked through the oligarchs. He had already spoken out in their address earlier – but now the president presented it in a completely different way. Because society has such a request.
The message was built on pain points, on important issues. Everyone knows that culture and sport live on their own, we exist, we know what needs to be done, maybe that’s why our industry was not given special attention.
– Still, sport has always been closely connected with the international agenda, our integration into international competitions and organizations. But now all of that has come to a halt.
– The President said today that Russia has suspended participation in the strategic offensive arms reduction treaty. You understand how important this question is.
As for sports, the international sports federations and organizations “asked” us. Why would the president talk about this once again, remind him? What, should we stand before them with outstretched hands?
Putin’s message, what he said today, also applies to sports. Because then they will call us back. And we will think about what to do with this request.
– That is, the president thinks about sports? I remember he said: we ourselves, they say, will come up with competitions that are interesting for everyone, we will hold them ourselves.
– Absolutely right. Let’s figure it out and carry it out. Sports will catch up with other things.
We will find friends, partners, I am sure that other countries will unite around Russia, and we will hold competitions no worse than those in which we participated.
It is no coincidence that the IOC today maintains a neutral position. They understand that Russia is a strong player on the sports ground, it is impossible to ignore it, – said the deputy of the State Duma of the Russian Federation, the Olympic champion in speed skating.