I’ve to suppose very fastidiously about what I give publicity to on RRG, both right here in the primary weblog, or over on X and Fb. I’m notably considerate with regards to sharing something that reveals particular person gymnasts as selecting to help the Struggle, as that may very well be damaging nicely past the extent of this horrible battle, and who is aware of what goes on?
Moreover, I don’t wish to promote materials that would inadvertently give weight to the reason for struggle. All struggle is fallacious. The arms trade and politicians are the one winners. The remainder of us lose – we pay with our lives.
So, ought to I give air to this image? What if individuals take this as implicit help for the Struggle?
The image, an web meme created by these working for the Russian state, is at present sitting on the Instagram web site of RIA Novosti – a Russian authorities supported media and information outlet. It reveals three gymnasts – they appear like Ablyazin, Belyavski and Dalaloyan, throughout an Olympic medal ceremony, however they’ve their backs to us – with a caption explaining that not one of the Russian gymnasts have chosen to strive for particular person qualification to the Olympics, out of loyalty to their nation. No, stronger than that – they don’t wish to ‘wave the white flag’.
The identical picture seems on one of many gymnasts’ social media accounts, with a damaged coronary heart emoji and the phrases ‘in instances of bother, we must always help our homeland’.
No person needs to overlook the Olympics, however the construction of Russian gymnastics – state funded, with golf equipment chosen for the athletes as kids, the golf equipment principally with some type of army affiliation – has made it unlikely from day one which any gymnast may meet the IOC and FIG standards to compete on a impartial foundation.
Is that this actually a ‘aware determination’ on the a part of the gymnasts and coaches, as RIA has written that Vasily Titov, President of the RGF, has mentioned? The gymnasts are excessive profile, a part of their nation’s coverage of sport as communication. Their salaries are paid by the federal government. Since childhood their households have obtained Authorities help to purchase meals and clothes for his or her youngster – and in Russia, such help is regularly wanted to succeed in a minimal way of life. The Olympians and nationwide staff members are nicely off, even rich by the requirements of most Russians – however in wartime, that may come at a price. Should you comply with the information from Russia, you’ll know what I imply.
I’m sustaining my silence. Even Nagorny, who appears to relish his shut connection to Putin, has household pursuits to guard – who is aware of what goes on?
The actions of the Russian state are abominable, its brutality is vented not solely on Ukraine but additionally by itself individuals. What would you do, for those who had been within the gymnasts’ sneakers?
