Random Russia sh*t

[Matilda23]

So AIN teams can qualify for the 2028 Olympics?

 

[MaryClare]

So AIN teams can qualify for the 2028 Olympics?

Yes I believe so. Since the team restriction has been lifted for a while now.

I am very much looking forward to RG Euros…

 

[Sanzhirovka]

Personally I find Melnikova’s words about about equal conditions for children disgusting, but this vote comes as no surprise.

In fact I’ve been saying for a while that Russia is almost certain to compete as Russia in LA.

 

[MaryClare]

Personally I find Melnikova’s words about about equal conditions for children disgusting, but this vote comes as no surprise.

In fact I’ve been saying for a while that Russia is almost certain to compete as Russia in LA.

I don’t think we will compete as Russia during this Olympics cycle. Maybe as RGF, since this has happened for other sports. But I think AIN2 is most likely. But it will most likely be a political decision not a sports one.

For those of you not aware, AIN2 is how Russia is designated in team sports and group events. Belarus is AIN1.

Melnikova’s speech and statement were very on brand in that some of the phrases she says were part of the media training that all prominent sports people attended earlier this year. But I believe her nerves and relief to be genuine. Certainly nobody here thought this was a foregone conclusion

 

[Sanzhirovka]

I am sure Melnikova is sincere, I just think she would be extremely uncomfortable in an interview about how to parse children following their dreams in light of, let’s call it kinetic, reality in Ukraine.

And you and I both know Russia will do everything it can to compete as Russia in LA and the current US admin will certainly be amenable to that.

As far the vote, yes, no one was certain . What is certain is UEGs president is pulling for Russia.

Russia was very thankful to him specifically for helping them in the doping commission vote recently. I personally read their Russian messages of thanks to him.

So even if Melnikova is sincere , she is absolutely being used , willingly or otherwise.

 

[KathySantoni]

So…the team/AIN combination confuses me.

Like is Russian Soccer and Hockey competing?

 

[MaryClare]

So…the team/AIN combination confuses me.

Like is Russian Soccer and Hockey competing?

Russian soccer currently competes as Football Union of Russia but is still banned by UEFA and FIFA, which also excludes Russian clubs from club tournaments. Currently they play only friendly matches, including one against North Korea this past week. Individual players are not banned and continue to play for their clubs without restrictions.

Hockey is pretty much the same situation, still banned by the governing body so won’t compete at 2026 Winter Olympics as they haven’t been able to compete in the qualifiers.

 

[ArnoldRimmer]

For those who don't follow football, the world cup is next summer and Russia were excluded from the qualifying process so definitely won't be involved. The next big competition after that is 2028 Euros, which is UEFA rather than FIFA. And the draw for the qualifiers is next week. I don't see how they can participate if they don't get unsuspended by next Saturday.

 

[MaryClare]

And you and I both know Russia will do everything it can to compete as Russia in LA and the current US admin will certainly be amenable to that.

As far the vote, yes, no one was certain . What is certain is UEGs president is pulling for Russia.

Russia was very thankful to him specifically for helping them in the doping commission vote recently. I personally read their Russian messages of thanks to him.

I’m not sure how much influence the present US government has over the IOC. Certainly US public opinion doesn’t appear to be on Russia’s side. My husband was in the US recently and people on the whole were quite hostile towards Russians.

It is no secret that Farid Gayibov is a Russian speaker with honorary degrees from Russian universities. And that he has far greater influence politically than most UEG heads typically would. UEG is sort of his side gig

 

[MaryClare]

For those who don't follow football, the world cup is next summer and Russia were excluded from the qualifying process so definitely won't be involved. The next big competition after that is 2028 Euros, which is UEFA rather than FIFA. And the draw for the qualifiers is next week. I don't see how they can participate if they don't get unsuspended by next Saturday.

I was at a CSKA Moscow match in the spring and there was a parade of armed forces personnel who’d been injured in U’raine. So they would appear rather unbothered by suspension compared with other sports in Russia.

The Football Union of Russia are very hopeful that Brazil will play Russia in a friendly prior to the World Cup. Brazil is of course a BRICS member and many Brazilians play their club football in Russia. Our national team captain is even a Brazilian dual national.
Brazil have been keen for a while for a BRICS football tournament, presumably to send their 2nd 11 to. They’d be certain to win since the rest of us, despite having rather a lot of people, struggle to find any who can kick a ball.

 

[ArnoldRimmer]

I was at a CSKA Moscow match in the spring and there was a parade of armed forces personnel who’d been injured in U’raine. So they would appear rather unbothered by suspension compared with other sports in Russia.

The Football Union of Russia are very hopeful that Brazil will play Russia in a friendly prior to the World Cup. Brazil is of course a BRICS member and many Brazilians play their club football in Russia. Our national team captain is even a Brazilian dual national.
Brazil have been keen for a while for a BRICS football tournament, presumably to send their 2nd 11 to. They’d be certain to win since the rest of us, despite having rather a lot of people, struggle to find any who can kick a ball.

To this I would add, I've just double checked and it turns out the 6th December 2026 when the draw will be held is in fact next year, rather than next week as I initially thought. Years are hard.

 

[RedBirdie]

Hockey is pretty much the same situation, still banned by the governing body so won’t compete at 2026 Winter Olympics as they haven’t been able to compete in the qualifiers.

My understanding is the IIHF isn't in any hurry to lift the ban, either. Its current leadership is dominated by countries that are not exactly sympathetic the Russia, shall we say. The next regular meeting where Russian and Belarusian participation might be on the agenda would be spring 2026, coinciding with elite men's world championship. And I'm not entirely sure they'll take it up, because I think they just voted to reaffirm the bans at the fall 2025 meeting.

 

[MaryClare]

My understanding is the IIHF isn't in any hurry to lift the ban, either. Its current leadership is dominated by countries that are not exactly sympathetic the Russia, shall we say. The next regular meeting where Russian and Belarusian participation might be on the agenda would be spring 2026, coinciding with elite men's world championship. And I'm not entirely sure they'll take it up, because I think they just voted to reaffirm the bans at the fall 2025 meeting.

Yes, plus unlike soccer, Russia is good at hockey

 

[Ginger]

Brazil have been keen for a while for a BRICS football tournament, presumably to send their 2nd 11 to. They’d be certain to win since the rest of us, despite having rather a lot of people, struggle to find any who can kick a ball.

That's the curse of countries/nations who are good at ice hockey.

 

[ArnoldRimmer]

This has just made me think of the late, great Lev Yashin, and TIL that he used to do ice hockey before becoming a footballer.

 

[Sasha]

That's the curse of countries/nations who are good at ice hockey.

We've figured out how to be good at both on the women's side!

 

[MaryClare]

We've figured out how to be good at both on the women's side!

I can’t see us cultivating lesbians anytime soon