Thick Fog Over London

Surely, when Baron Pierre de Coubertin first revived the Olympic Games, no one dreamed that countries would keep count – even unofficially – of the medals won by their athletes.

When I first attended the Olympics in Montreal in 1976, I was startled to see an enormous scoreboard on the wall of the Olympic Village building that housed the mighty Soviet team. Two of my acquaintances from the Central Committee of the Komsomol youth organization attended the board day and night, chalking up more and more medals taken by the home team, and even recording all 4th, 5th or 6th place showings by Soviet athletes. As I recall, this did not go unnoticed by the International Olympic Committee, which remarked that there was no such thing as national scorekeeping at the games. But the Soviets had their own reckoning. In those days the USSR was a regular victor in both the summer and winter competitions, often defeating its perennial opponent, if not to say enemy, the United States.

But here’s the surprise: with the collapse of the Soviet Union, national scorekeeping was suddenly universally adopted, even by countries not distinguished for their athletic programs. Today, the tally looms over countless governments. Olympic victories have come to be an indicator of a country’s competitiveness and progress. A nation that wins many medals sees itself as much as a political as an athletic power.

After the losses at the Vancouver games in 2010, when, by that same unofficial count, the Russian team didn’t even achieve tenth place, the nation’s interest in Olympic medals was paradoxically renewed. Now everyone clings to the hope that success will not elude us in London; predictions and prophets abound.

I will cite a higher authority. At a recent dinner that lasted into the night, Alexander Zhukov, president of the Russian Olympic Committee, assured me that Russia is certain to take third place. He bases this on the following objective facts: Russia has one of the largest teams. If, say, the Americans are strong in medal-heavy areas such as swimming and track, Russian athletes are contenders in a much wider range of events. In this regard they outstrip even our English hosts, as evidenced by Russia’s third place showing in overall medals earned at recent World Championships. In London, Russia will have to battle hard with Britain, as the host country invariably raises its overall score by a minimum of ten percent. And, of course, the U.S. and China will also be fighting for first. This opinion is shared by Vitaly Mutko, minister of sport, tourism and youth policy. A third place result in London will be considered a success.

I can attest that for the first time in at least 36 years, none of our Olympic teams has been in financial need. The generosity of the national treasury has been unprecedented. Not only potential medalists, but all athletes accepted to participate are supplied with their hearts’ desires – and Russian hearts, as we know, are large. The track and field team trains in the mountain heights and in the resort town of Sochi. But if someone, such as 800-meter world champion runner Maria Savinova, prefers to work apart from her team with a personal trainer… sure – why not! Meanwhile, the synchronized swimming duo, which has won every gold medal since 2000, when their sport was restored as an Olympic event, prefer the quiet of the recently renovated Round Lake facility, as do their neighbors, the swimmers and divers. More than once lately I have overheard the same conversation between the higher-ups of the sports administration and various head coaches and trainers:

“Tell me what you need. How can we support you?”

“Thank you! You’ve already given us everything we need.”

This was unheard of in past years. Always there was either a lack of money, or a lack of equipment, or simply a lack of attention. Today, absolutely everyone receives full support. Nothing remains but to win.

And winning will bring more than athletic glory. The financial rewards are substantial. A gold medal will be worth far more than its face value, ringing in at approximately $100,000. Add to that the awards and prizes that await Olympic champions from clubs and athletic associations, governors and mayors: incentive indeed.

But what of fighting for the homeland? For the honor of its flag? In recent years that sentiment has been absent among our young contenders, but today it seems to be undergoing a resurgence. The troops proclaim themselves ready to fight. Whether victory will be theirs remains to be seen.

In what areas does Russia have hopes for the gold? The track and field team performed better than ever at the 2011 World Championships, taking nine gold medals. If pole-vaulting champion Yelena Isinbayeva (on the front cover) maintains her post-comeback form, she could crown her career with an unprecedented third gold in a row. The rhythmic gymnasts look as brilliant as ever. They have been training with superhuman determination: World Champion Yevgenia Kanayeva even excused herself, with apologies, from traveling to receive the Silver Doe, awarded by the Federation of Sports Journalists to the year’s best athletes. Kanayeva said only that she hopes to earn the trophy again, after London. Synchronized swimming has never disappointed, nor have the wrestlers, both Greco-Roman and freestyle. Then there are the fencers and boxers. And the crisis in gymnastics is behind us. Of course there are also the shooters, who have enjoyed private funding for several years now. For them to lose would simply be a crime. Indeed, money from private sponsors flows not only to tired old soccer and hockey… and it makes a difference. Prizes are even being awarded by private individuals. The first Russian woman wrestler to take first place will instantly win a sum equal to $500,000.

But we have our weak spots as well. Swimming is an unknown. More accurately, we know that even a single gold medal there will be cause for celebration. The cyclists have been slacking off terribly – their spokes barely seem to turn. The soccer team didn’t make it to London, nor did the once powerful men’s water polo squad. Ah, but there were times…

But it’s too late for regrets. What is, now is.

With these thoughts we head to foggy London, hoping to place third in the unofficial national count. The fog will lift only when the Olympic fire is extinguished. RL

Total Medal Counts, Past Four Summer Olympic Games