On April 3, 2023, Novosibirsk hosted an International Round Table on the Theme: "With a Flag or Without a Flag: Problems of the Olympic Movement in the Conditions of the Existential Existence of the World."
04.04.2023On April 3, 2023, Novosibirsk hosted an International Round Table on the Theme: "With a Flag or Without a Flag: Problems of the Olympic Movement in the Conditions of the Existential Existence of the World."
The main report was made by the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the International Athlete Rights Association Anatoly Peskov. The report is published on our website.
The moderator of the Round Table, Yana Pavlenko, read out a welcoming speech by the Honorary Chairman of the Board of Directors of the International Athlete Rights Association Professor James Nafziger (USA). Welcoming speech is also published on our website.
Directors of our organization and representatives of sports organizations of the Novosibirsk region took part in a lively discussion. All presentations were interesting, reasoned and filled with new ideas and constructive proposals.
In her speech, Anna Di Giandomenico, professor from the University of Teramo (Italy), analyzed the ideas of the founder of the modern Olympic movement, Baron de Coubertin, in relation to the current situation in international sports. According to Professor Di Giandomenico, his ideas for the creation of an international and autonomous sport, contributing to the unification of people and peace on our planet, are more relevant than ever. Politicians have always used the Olympic Games and national patriotism for their own purposes, forgetting that the Olympic Games are a competition between athletes, not countries. According to Professor Anna Di Giandomenico, the recognition of the Olympic flag as the only legal flag for all the Olympic Games would correspond to Baron De Coubertin's ideas about the international essence of Olympism.
One of the most famous and influential sports lawyers in the Middle East, Majed Garoub (Saudi Arabia), said that human rights are universal and should not be used as an instrument of politics and various manipulations. In his opinion, it is not enough just to make statements, it is necessary to achieve long-term changes to improve the lives of athletes, regardless of their national, religious and political beliefs. The lawyer demanded that all international sports organizations comply with their Charters and Regulations, prohibit the interference of religion and politics in sports, and do not allow any discrimination against athletes and fans. Majed Garoub also said that sport brings people together and promotes peace, and we must do everything to protect the principles of Olympism
Eduard Latypov, President of the Russian national team fan club RUSSIA UNITE, expressed serious concern about the violation of the rights of Russian and Belarusian athletes and fans. Eduard Latypov spoke out in support of the Russian flag at international sports competitions, suggested thinking about creating a new system of alternative amateur Olympic Games, in which Russian and Belarusian athletes could compete on an equal footing with athletes from other countries and under their national flags.
Vladimir Saraev, head of the Center for the Scientific Support of Criminal Law Impact on Crimes in the Field of Sports, President of the Association of Hockey Referees public association, expressed the opinion that the current situation is not regulated by the norms of sports ethics. Athletes themselves are forced to make decisions, in particular, agree or disagree with the requirements of the IOC in connection with the events in Ukraine. Vladimir Saraev believes that sports lawyers should think about creating norms regulating the use of state symbols by athletes. In addition, Saraev proposed to solve an important general problem, in particular, to achieve real autonomy for sports by legal methods, which, as recent events have shown, is actually absent. He said that to the question “with or without a flag”, he would unequivocally answer: “Only with a flag in accordance with international and sports law.”
Deputy Secretary General of the Russian Football Union, Head of the Department of Sports Law of Moscow State University named after O.E. Kutafina supported the positions of Vladimir Saraev on the need to improve the norms of sports ethics. In particular, he proposed to decipher the concept of "political neutrality" and more clearly regulate relations related to the interference of politicians in the affairs of sports. Denis Rogachev said that constant work is underway to restore the rights of Russian football players in FIFA and UEFA, as well as to interact with the Asian Football Confederation. However, according to Rogachev, Russia should be ready for any development of events and already now think about an alternative system of international team games with the participation of friendly countries. Rogachev also proposed to raise the international status of Olympic champions, provide them with diplomatic passports and free movement around the world so that they can feel like citizens of the world. To the question “with or without a flag,” Denis Rogachev answered: “Let the athletes decide for themselves”
According to Vitaly Grebenkov, Director of the Billiard Sports Federation of the Novosibirsk Region, sports lawyers should constantly carry out explanatory, educational and patriotic work with athletes so that they can make the right independent decisions on participation in international sports competitions. This, in his opinion, would also contribute to the reduction of cases of change of sports citizenship. In response, Anatoly Peskov said that this work should be done by the Ministry of Sports and the Russian Olympic Committee. However, the Russian authorities and leaders of Russian sports must first give a clear answer for themselves to the question “with a flag or without a flag” and officially explain their position to Russian athletes.
The International Athlete Rights Association expresses gratitude to all participants of the Round Table for their active participation in the discussion and creative proposals. We express our special gratitude to the heads of the Representative Office of our organization in the Siberian Federal District, Yana Pavlenko and Yulia Lebedeva, who were able to adequately cope with all the challenges and difficulties and organize an interesting International Round Table.
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