Olympic Committee, FIFA, UEFA, Others Shutting Athletes Out
Editor’s Note: Soft power is the ability of a country to convince and attract rather than coerce. It can include its appeal of culture, reputation, business, and sports. Soft power is a significant component of global relations, and Russia is losing its fast. Belarus is right behind them.
By Ernesto Rodriguez in Madrid
March 2, 2022—While we are all still shell-shocked after the “surprise” invasion of Ukraine by Russia, it is also important to start seriously analyzing the many ways the West is fighting this war. While it is too soon to talk about World War III, there is no doubt that NATO and EU countries are trying to force Vladimir Putin into retreat. At the very least, they want to make the cost of invading any European Country high enough to make him think twice before trying again.
Economic sanctions and financial support for Ukraine are, of course, the main ways to stop the Russian war machine. But they are also employing another essential tool to hurt Vladimir Putin’s standing inside his country: Boycotts on Russian culture and sports.
This weapon doesn’t involve tanks and ammunition. It simply means saying “no.” And luckily, this harmless tool is already at work against this harmful war.
Olympics No More
As if it wasn’t embarrassing enough for Russian athletes competing in the 2020 and 2022 Olympics for having to play under the banner “ROC” due to doping scandals, now they will be completely blocked from participating in international sports.
The International Olympic Committee made a striking announcement on Monday. It said “with a heavy heart,” it is recommending all international sports organizations to ban athletes from Russia and Belarus due to the war in Ukraine.
“In order to protect the integrity of global sports competitions and for the safety of all the participants, the IOC EB recommends that International Sports Federations and sports event organizers not invite or allow the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials in international competitions,” the IOC said in its announcement.
In cases where athletes might already be en route or present, the IOC encouraged organizers “to do everything in their power to ensure that no athlete or sports official from Russia or Belarus be allowed to take part under the name of Russia or Belarus.”
Footballers Booted
That follows announcements by FIFA World Cup and the European Champions league (UEFA) to boot Russian football players out of all competitions.
“Football is fully united here and in full solidarity with all the people affected in Ukraine,” FIFA and UEFA announced Monday in a joint statement.
Football, also known as “soccer” for you readers in the States, is the most popular sport in Russia. The ban is a big blow to fans. That’s especially likely given the FIFA World Cup is scheduled for later this year.
In England and under pressure from UK sanctions, Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich is reportedly preparing to sell his ownership stake in Chelsea.
Racing, Basketball & Chess
Formula 1 racing was one of the first to react to the events unfolding in Ukraine. With its vision of “uniting people and bringing nations together” via racing, the management said “that it is impossible to hold the Russian Grand Prix in the current circumstances.”
The International Basketball Federation also said it is barring Russian teams and officials from participating in FIBA Basketball and 3×3 Basketball competitions “until further notice.” Even a chess association joined the boycott this week.
Movies And Music
At the same time, while there are no big organizations that can lead a boycott of Russian music and movies, the war is likely to have an impact.
It feels like for most artists and studios, touring as if everything was normal while Russian bombs are dropping in Ukraine would be bad publicity. Right now, bands and artist like Green Day, Franz Ferdinand, Iggy Pop and Bring Me The Horizon have started to cancel their events in the country, making it clear it’s a response to the invasion, the European Broadcasting Union banned Russian acts from Eurovision and Warner Bros canceled the premiere of “The Batman” in the country.
It’s not the first time the world has used this kind of “soft power” against a country, and it’s not even just a tool for NATO countries. During the worst of the Apartheid, most musical artists boycotted South Africa. Iran got kicked out from the Olympics twice. And right now, a good many left-leaning artists joined a boycott against Israel led by Roger Waters of Pink Floyd’s fame.
No Harm, No Foul for Boycotters
The movement also another advantage in that it has little effect on the West. There’s precious little that Putin can do to fight this kind of measures.
The impact can work. It’s of course not an immediate effect, Putin is not going to leave office to see “Batman” but it does give the people of the country new reasons to complain. A new generation of Russians are already looking forward. Many can likely envision a future without the current regime. Many others are joining big protests in the streets since the invasion started.
The Wrong Side Of a New Iron Curtain
The loss of culture, sports and international esteem can give people the feeling that their leader is taking them out of the world. In many ways, it is a new Iron Curtain, and it’s not fun to be on the other side. But this time, that Iron Curtain is easier to lift: Putin just needs to stop invading other countries.
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