15 million for doping

At the end of the old year, it is just right to recall its main events. It would seem difficult to write such a final article - after all, there was neither the Olympics, nor the World Cup or European Football, that is, the main events that, it would seem, are a kind of “markers” of world sports life. However, in Russia there were a number of events that sharply complicated such, especially when you take into account the overly trembling attitude to the sport of the country's higher officials.

Of course, first of all, it is necessary to call a rapidly developing doping scandal, which, it would seem, “main directions” of Russian sport. Since the Sochi Olympiad ended, Russian athletes have been on the subtle line separating their results from the legal. Before the Olympics in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro, the first serious “volleys” were heard-and the first disqualification followed. The whole of 2017 was under the sign of new - and very painful! - disqualification and deprivation of the awards of Sochi winners. Based on the report of Grigory Rodchenkov and the materials of the two special IOC commissions, the Russian team is already deprived of many medals, in the command classification it moved from 1 place to the 4th, and the process continues. A special IOC commission will separately consider which of the Russians will be able to go to games in Pyeongchang. Meanwhile, it has already been decided thatat the games there will be neither the Russian flag, nor the anthem , nor the form in the colors of the Russian flag, nor the emblem. The Paralympic Committee of Russia is not allowed at all to the games, like the highest sports Russian officials.

All because Russia did not admit the guilt in creating the state system of "doping-supply" athletes. That is why Vitaly Mutko temporarily resigned as President of the RFU-an event that partly completed this doping epic. Formally, this sounded like this: "For six months he suspended his work as the President of the RFU." The high official himself said literally the following: "I do not agree with the removal from the Olympiads, with the decision that the International Olympic Committee issued. Yes, I did not look at the activities of the laboratory. At the same time, there is not a single evidence of the state of the state." The picture, alas, is traditional: with hands after a fight - a typical Russian lesson. After all, right now, another attempt has been made to deprive Russia of the right to hold the 2018 home championship. Russia remains either to completely admit its guilt, or to close in proud silence ...

But it would seem that Russian football has something to object to claims from the outside. In 2017, the qualifying tournament for the World Cup ended. The draw of the final part of the tournament took place. The stadiums are being built - however, the degree of their readiness has yet to be considered. True, the qualifying tournament is a matter that is beyond their power. And under the draw, according to rumors, the Russian organizers again resorted to fraud, providing Russia with the convenient composition of the group. But, in fact, this was not necessary - the Russian team in recent years has shown such a low level of football that the exit from the group will already be outstanding success for it. In general, I would risk predicting what the Russian authorities will fight for the last world's championship, no matter what techniques are used.

At the upcoming Olympics, he suddenly suddenly stood up at his full height and the “hockey question”. NHL refused to send the best players to her. The KHL has not yet made a decision, although, it would seem, to win the Olympic “gold”, never won by Russia, the task was sharply simplified. But, of course, everyone understands that in the absence of the NHL, gold medals will deprive sharply ... And besides, Russia, I recall, will have to speak without its form, without a flag and anthem - in general, there are many questions. In addition, Russia lost the World Hockey Championship 2017, taking third place there.

You can list a lot of other sports, but much more to remember another thing. More recently, it became known that the Olympic Committee of Russia will pay the required $ 15 million-a fine, legal costs for actions for a doping scandal by the International Olympic Committee. This was announced by President of the OCD Alexander Zhukov, reports TASS . "Now there is a contract process with the IOC. The payment deadline will be set," Zhukov said.

The fact that this news was not widespread, says only that the costs are recognized as fair ...