Olympic Games like a bargaining chip

SD: Yesterday, the first reports of the possibility of a boycott of the Sochi Olympics by the United States. The newspaper "New York Times" called the Russian students at the Universiade in Kazan "bogus" and doubted the outcome of sporting events. Russian government officials keep quiet. Was all the fault of one person. Now it is difficult to realistically assess its value and significance for the development of historical processes on Earth. But Edward Snowden in a moment was over politics, the economy and other creatures of evil. "Soviet Sport" understands whether the spy game to hurt the Olympic Games.
 

Passion for the SPY

Merging the terrible secrets of Big Brother, a former U.S. intelligence officer Edward Snowden has already begun to harm the Russian sport.

The first hit Universiade. Photojournalists news agencies did not fly to Kazan, a few days guarding a spy at the Sheremetyevo Airport, and occasionally distracted by the unsuccessful flight of the spirit of Snowden in Havana.

The American, who is tipped as the Nobel Peace Prize, has requested asylum is not in Cuba, as in Russia, agreeing in parallel with the requirements of Russian President Vladimir Putin not to disseminate classified information that could harm the United States.

American politicians Russian hospitality is not rated. Was found in the chorus of criticism and its lead singer - a member of the Republican Party Lindsey Graham.

- Russian outrageous act by hosting a spy and a traitor. Refusal to go to the Games in Sochi will bring them to life! - Graham appealed to U.S. President Barack Obama in the pages of the parliamentary newspaper The Hill.

The reasons of personal animosity to the sport Graham did not explain any American newspaper article, or in a conversation with the correspondent of "Soviet Sport", to phone to the senator.- Yes, my position sounded true - Graham said.

- The remaining details will explain the mail, wait a couple of days.The list of American politics Russophobes 58-year-old Republican, pressed even odious Senator John McCain.

The latter, incidentally, did not support the initiative boycott the Games.- Refusal to participate in the Olympics-80 was the wrong decision - declared McCain. - So Snowden's return to the United States will be politically.

What, said spokesman for the White House spokesman Jay Carney.

- Barack Obama is not going to cancel the September trip to Russia for a summit "Big Twenty". Snowden, of course, is to be extradited to the U.S., but the incident will not cause long-term problems between the countries.

Vitaly Smirnov: SHAME THAT VOTED FOR BOYCOTT OF GAMES IN LOS ANGELES

To comment on the statement by U.S. Senator we asked the oldest member of the IOC Honorary President of the Russian Olympic Committee Vitaly Smirnov.

- Boycotting the Olympic Games in the past were common, - Smirnov said. - For example, a game in Montreal-1976 left the twenty-six athletes from the African continent. And many of them have already come into the competition.

- Why did it happen?

- In South Africa, has not been eradicated from the policy of apartheid - black people pritenyayut, did not have any rights. The protest came when the team played in New Zealand, South Africa rugby team, which was the only white players.

- The main reason for the boycott seems to always lay in politics ...

- More commonly referred to state financial plight - they just do not have the opportunity to send athletes to the games. The problem of Juan Antonio Samaranch decided one reform - IOC delegations took the finance poor countries themselves.

- But you will not deny that Americans boycott the Olympics in Moscow - pure politics, not the money.

- The story begins before the Winter Olympics-80 in Lake Placid. At the IOC session before the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games to the President of the country adopting the game. However, then Carter deputized Vice-President, who made a rabid speech. Instead of welcoming participants of the Games, he attacked the Soviet Union - said that violates the laws of our country truce introduces troops in Afghanistan and called for boycotting the Olympics.

- What was the reaction of the Soviet committee?

- Our representatives immediately left the meeting. The position of the U.S. president condemned all IOC members, including the U.S. representatives.

- What did the president of the United States?

- Olympic Games, traditionally held in a leap year and coincide with the U.S. presidential election. The boycott of the Games in Moscow Carter planned to hold on to power. He hoped that the hard hit to the side of the USSR add to his whist. The opposite happened. Later, Carter publicly admitted his mistake - just easier to become an American athletes from these words? After all, Western athletes lost because of the strange actions of the government.

- Four years later, the Soviet Union stepped on the same rake. Accept the idea of boycotting the games in the U.S. is ripe at once?

- Not at all. We were getting ready to take part in the Games. Moreover, we even picked a place to house team. However, relations between the two countries soured again. It all started with the refusal to accredit our Olympic spokesperson, who, however, was indeed a spy.

- However, the political causes of the boycott in the Soviet Union denied ...

- According to the official version, our athletes did not go to the games because of fear for their own safety. Examples were given of what the Los Angeles frequent attacks on citizens, theft, and so on. Although motives were clear to all.

- Was there a chance for Soviet athletes still go to the games?

- After the document was signed by Foreign Minister Gromyko, Chairman of the KGB and the chairman of the State Committee of the Olympic Committee had to vote in favor of ignoring the games in Los Angeles. I am ashamed to admit, but I have to oppose the boycott, voted for him.

- Why?

- To oppose it was pointless. During this time could head off to turn away.

- Why boycotts stopped?

- Started reform Samaranch. About economics I have told you. The most important thing is that the games are no longer the organizing committees and the IOC. So now the boycott does not extend to the organizing committees of states, and the Olympic Committee. Removed all excuses and pretexts by which to boycott the game.

- Is it possible to boycott because of the case Snowden?

- No way. This is nonsense. Americans for anything like that will not come. First, the practice did not pay off, and secondly, the U.S. does not want to punish their athletes.

And it is not necessary to judge the opinion of Americans by the speech of one of unrestrained senator. We have also some in the Duma may speak only will it reflect the opinion of the Russians and the government? So it does not worry us because of that.