– They point the finger at anyone who criticizes the war, Berit Lindeman concluded to NRK.

He is general secretary of the Helsinki Committee, and he also knows the world of sport well from his role as a member of the ethics committee of the Norwegian Football Association.

– The Russian sports elite expressed their support for the war, whether they wanted it or not, he continued.

Russian sports club CSKA is celebrating its 100th anniversary this weekend.

They did so by holding a grand ceremony with sporting leaders, ministers and military leaders, at a time when Russian athletes were fighting to re-include in the heat of international sport.

– This setting only shows that the opponent is absolutely right. It was a belligerent nation that in this case would be taken back, on belligerent conditions, Lindeman said.

Russian soldier receiving award

The abbreviation CSKA stands for “Central Sports Club of the Army”, and among the participants in the anniversary celebrations were:

• Sergej Sjojgu, Minister of Defence
• Nikolaj Pankov, Undersecretary of Defense
• Oleg Matytsin, Minister of Sports
• Stanislav Pozdnyakov, President of the Russian Olympic Committee

The latter awarded the “player of the century” an honorary award. It went to Vsevolod Bobrov, a late sports hero who represented the club in bandy, football and ice hockey.

Bobrov’s grandson Vsevolod Bobrov Jr. received the award on behalf of the grandfather. He did so wearing a Russian military uniform. Bobrov Jr. just returned from Ukraine after fighting for Russia in the ongoing war, as TV star and sports commentator Dmitry Guberniev pointed out from the stage.

The war information elicited applause from the audience.

The country’s president, Vladimir Putin, was also involved in the commemoration. He offers written congratulations to the sports club.

– Today we honor CSKA athletes of all generations. Those who have dedicated their careers and lives to the club, and have set an example of selfless service, read the passage from Putin’s message.

– It’s nice to note that representatives of CSKA are among the recognized leaders of Russian and international sports, the congratulations continue.

Thinking sports is coupd

In March, the leadership of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) recommended that Russian and Belarusian athletes be able to participate again in the sport.

Lindeman is clear that this weekend’s festivities show just how horrendous the IOC recommendations can be.

– This is absolutely unacceptable. We must fight tooth and nail, he said, and continued:

– The Olympics and Olympic sports were taken over by Russia with the blessing of the IOC.

The Secretary General of the Helsinki Committee understands that it is difficult for Russian athletes who do not support the war, but he believes that the formal and symbolic link between elite sport and the military in Russia means they cannot participate while there. is war.

– The fact is that sport and politics have been mixed for a long time, and Russian and Russian athletes were no exception. Russia is the aggressor. There are politics on all sides.

Russian athletes also disliked the IOC’s recommendations, but for very different reasons. Participation must be made under several conditions, including that Russia must compete individually under a neutral flag.:

– We athletes are currently hostages in a political game that is dividing the sports community. The IOC’s plans are an overreaction and discriminatory, said a statement from the Russian athletes’ committee, according to NTB.