A miracle has happened!!!

What was impossible to believe at all stages of the Olympic race, what was impossible to believe even on the night of July 5, has happened: the city of Sochi received the 2014 Olympics! Frankly, this is the best news we've had in a long time. For many years, I would even say.

However, before I indulge in delight, I will also say something that I don’t really want to talk about and that isn’t too pleasant. Our magazine is political. Moreover, the mood on its pages is predominantly oppositional. Therefore, there is no escaping the political context of the Sochi victory.

I am also not a fan of Putin, his course and many of his words and actions. But I don’t want to say that this is a victory for the Putin regime, much less compare the Games in Sochi with the Olympics in Berlin in 1936, to which some have already agreed. Of course, this triumph will be used by official propaganda. Of course, Vladimir Vladimirovich wrote his name in history, and there are many more “of course”. But I am not going to be like the Bolsheviks, who wanted their country to be defeated in the war, if only their proletarian revolution would be accomplished.

Putin made a huge, perhaps decisive, contribution to the victory of Sochi. All recent summit meetings in one way or another also had Olympic overtones. And the negotiations in Austria were actually dedicated only to the Olympics. After these negotiations, Salzburg finally became an outsider. There are suggestions that even at the last meeting with Bush, in addition to missile defense, Sochi was also discussed. We must understand that America is the main sponsor of both the Olympic movement and sports in general, and that its influence on all IOC decisions is enormous. Finally, Putin had a good speech written for the session in Guatemala, and he delivered it with great energy. When only four extra votes bring victory, every little thing is important. Putin became this big “important little thing.” And I am quite sincerely ready to thank him for this.

One more thing you can't do without. I understand that now many people are saying and thinking: someone will make some money at these Games! They'll steal! Yes, they'll cook it. And they will definitely steal. But they will make a lot of money and steal from us, regardless of the Olympics. Not in Sochi, but somewhere else. In Russia even now there are projects where much more money is invested and where much more money is stolen. Let's give up the Olympics! But will there really be less stealing from us after this?

I also disagree with those who, having heard about the billions that will be spent on holding the Games, sigh that it would be better if this money were distributed to the poor and our ever-present household names “teachers and doctors.” Listen: if this money had not gone to the Olympics, then no poor people would have gotten it either - don’t hesitate to doubt it. The state would find a “better use” for them, and the oligarchs even more so. And then: why do we always pose the question of either/or? Why should we hold the Games to the detriment of the poor or, conversely, feed the poor without competing for the Olympics? Don't be poor! Russia, if it wants, can easily host the Olympics and take care of its citizens. Why this doesn’t happen is a topic for another and completely non-Olympic conversation.

And, of course, there is no need to say that these will be Games for the rich. Tell me: what kind of events exist in the world for the poor, besides distributing soup? All large-scale projects - not only ours - are for people who have at least some money. It would be the same in Salzburg or Korea. But at the same time, I know that almost the entire country will watch the Olympics. A lot of people would like to go and personally cheer for our team. In Sochi it will be much easier for them to do this than in some other city in a foreign country.

And now, nevertheless, allow yourself to surrender to delight. HOORAY!!!!!!! My soul and heart as a fan rejoice! This is the biggest sports victory in Russian history! Moreover, this is our greatest international victory overall. And almost the only one. Because everyone is used to the fact that news from Russia is bad news. That Russia always emanates some kind of threat, fear, there is no confidence in its good intentions, it is difficult to rely on it. Add to this our traditional isolation - both geographical and “mental”. Do not forget that too few people here speak foreign languages, and foreigners do not speak Russian. In Europe or America, the languages ​​are also different, but at least they have the same letters, and we are not like them here either (however, the situation with our Korean competitors was no better in this sense).

That’s why I consider Sochi’s victory a miracle. We really had to try really, really hard to get ahead of our opponents. After all, Salzburg is one of the most textbook places for winter sports. Initially, he was generally a clear favorite. And Korea is the highest technology, exceptional order and organization, tranquility, hospitality, and security. In Salzburg, almost everything was ready to hold the Games not in seven years, but almost next winter. At least something was ready in Korea. Almost nothing is ready in Sochi yet. But the concept there, honestly, is amazing! All that remained was to “just” convince the whole world of this, plus overcome all the difficulties and stereotypes that I have already listed that are associated with our country.

That is, in order to win, Sochi had to do twice as much as any of its competitors. And it was done! For the first time, the application campaign was not just large-scale, but rather well thought out. Moreover, the impact is not directed inside the country - what is there to convince us of the usefulness of the Games? In the end, they order us - we will do it, we are no strangers to it. A lot of money was spent on propaganda and advertising abroad. And it worked. Without real Olympic venues, we managed to create at least fairly convincing virtual ones. In general, it turned out that in Russia there are smart managers who are capable of bringing the most difficult project to victory, although initially they were almost outsiders. And where they lacked their own brains, they did not hesitate to call on foreigners for help, who helped a lot both in developing the concept and in organizing the advertising campaign.

So what now? Virtuality has suddenly become reality! Like it or not, we will have to hold the Olympics! Are we able to turn mockups into objects? Can this truly amazing theoretical concept, the best, in my opinion, in the history of the Winter Games, be implemented on the ground? This was the main doubt of foreigners. But you and I know what we are capable of if we really need to do something. We have a five-year plan in three years, our tank factory is evacuated to the East and begins to produce tanks immediately after unloading in the bare steppe in thirty-degree frost. We will build and organize whatever you want, not like some kind of Olympics. If it's forbidden.

You will take into account another interesting feature of our national character. We surprisingly combine contempt and distrust of foreign countries with the desire to please them. Of course, no one tells us not to come to us with your advice and teachings, but at the same time, to throw dust in the eyes of visitors, to “creep” in front of them, to please them in everything - we are in the forefront. So I have no doubt that the Olympic village will be like a hotel in Dubai, and the buffet will not be left without black caviar, and there will be gypsies, and bears with balalaikas, and we will not stand behind the price on any issue. It is a matter of honor to hold the Games not just with dignity, but in such a way that they become the best in history. And if the ruling regime considers that this is beneficial for it, then its interests, in general, will coincide with the interests of athletes and fans.

In general, the Olympics are a huge opportunity! You may not be a fan of sports, but the fact remains: the Olympic Games are the main world event in principle. Because nothing else attracts such universal attention, such a colossal one-time audience around the world! Of course, the summer Games are larger and more prestigious, but the winter Games are even okay. In Europe and America they are watched no less.

The world has shown that it is not biased towards us. Despite all the doubts and Russia's controversial reputation, he assessed our Olympic bid and gave preference to us over the more reliable and respectable Koreans and Austrians. Now it's our turn to show ourselves to the world. That we are a normal country, and not some savages. That there are not bears with balalaikas here. That we have not only explosions, fires, sinking boats, killed journalists, polonium and Chechnya.

Having successfully held the Games, Russia will receive a kind of pass into the civilized world. In a sporting sense, we will be able to qualify for whatever competitions we want, be it the World Cup or the Summer Olympics. In the tourist sense, anywhere, but in Russia there are potentially any number of opportunities for any kind of recreation. So much beauty! But until now we have not taken advantage of these opportunities, and our resorts are just tears. If Sochi really is made into a world-class resort, how great it would be!

Now you’ll tell me again, “They’ll steal it, they’ll squander it.” Well, okay, let's never do anything! Why - if everything will be stolen and stolen anyway? Let's now come to terms with the fact that we will always live in shit and that it's not worth even trying to get out of it. Now there is a great opportunity to really do a great job, both for the region and for the country. Why not try?

I'm not even talking about the benefits for our sport of this Olympics. Most domestic medals and records were achieved not thanks to, but in spite of. There are no bases, stadiums, jumps, tracks, or skating rinks. The skating championship was held in Berlin not long ago; the sleigh and bobsled national championships are held in Latvia. And there are millions of such examples! To receive such facilities as in Sochi simply means giving a reactive impetus for the development of elite sports.

In general, I hope that despite all our well-known difficulties and meanness, despite the bureaucrats and swindlers, despite the active participation of the unsympathetic “Putin clique,” ​​our country will be able to worthily host the Olympic Games in Sochi, and I sincerely congratulate everyone on the fact that We have been entrusted with this right! This is truly a very big and important victory in every sense! Get to work, comrades!