Russian Media Critique Paris Olympics Amid Broadcast Absence

For many in Russia, watching the Paris Olympics is proving to be quite a challenge. With state TV channels opting out of broadcasting any events, local media are questioning whether it’s even worth the effort to keep up with the games. Only 15 athletes from Russia are participating, but they will not be representing their country due to the ongoing ban from the International Olympic Committee.

This ban stems from recent tensions, and sports fans in Russia are feeling the sting. Traditionally, Russians have been crazy about the Olympics, especially since the glory days of the Soviet Union, but with so few of their own in the competition, enthusiasm is lacking. Many people may have to turn to online feeds, and those might require some tech tricks to get around restrictions.

On a recent Friday night, the Rossiya 24 Channel aired some footage of the opening ceremony, complete with celebratory scenes from Paris. However, the coverage was sparse, with state news agencies like Tass and RIA-Novosti only offering brief mentions of the event.

Although the newspapers aren’t entirely ignoring the Olympics, they seem to focus more on negative aspects. Reports on crime in Paris, barricades, and food shortages for athletes are dominating the headlines. Journalist Alexander Shulgin noted that even before the games really began, scandals were already piling up around the event.

Meanwhile, some commentators, like a member of the Russian parliament, have expressed a rather bleak view of how the Paris Games will unfold, suggesting it might end with substantial issues similar to the infamous Sochi Olympics.

The overall sentiment in the media seems to lean towards a sense of schadenfreude as they report on various mishaps and inconveniences surrounding the Olympics. Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova has publicly criticized Paris, drawing unfriendly comparisons to the Sochi Games.

There’s also some debate on whether to support the few Russian competitors participating. These athletes are competing under a new designation known as Individual Neutral Athletes (AIN), which has sparked discussions about their status and the implications of still representing Russia despite the name change.

In contrast to the vibrant competition spirit typically seen during the games, this year’s Olympics are marred by a backdrop of political tensions and strict regulations regarding participation. The excitement of the event now seems overshadowed by ongoing controversies.