Cyberattacks cast doubt on the idea of welcoming Russia back to international sports.
Just as the world seemed ready to embrace Russia's return to the global sporting arena, a new development has emerged, casting doubt on the wisdom of such statements while the country remains at war with Ukraine. This week, the two most influential figures in sports, FIFA President Gianni Infantino and IOC counterpart Kirsty Coventry, suggested it was time to bring Russia out of its isolation (https://www.thetimes.com/sport/olympics/article/ioc-president-hints-russia-return-2028-olympics-ltqvtxb5p). Coventry argued that athletes should not be punished for their government's actions.
However, on Wednesday, Italy's Foreign Minister, Antonio Tajani, revealed that they had successfully thwarted a series of Russian cyberattacks targeting the Winter Games, including hotels in Cortina. Tajani stated during a visit to Washington DC that they had foiled cyberattacks on foreign ministry offices, starting with Washington, and Winter Olympics sites, including Cortina, which were of Russian origin.
Since Russia's involvement in the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, where they topped the medal table using state-sponsored doping, their participation in any competition has been a contentious issue. The country was at the center of the biggest doping scandal during the last Winter Games in Beijing. While Kamila Valieva, involved in the 2022 doping scandal, is not competing this time, her notorious coach, Eteri Tutberidze, is present in Milan, raising eyebrows.
Tutberidze's response to Valieva's emotional distress during her ruined free skate routine, where she succumbed to intense pressure, was criticized by Thomas Bach, the IOC president at the time. Valieva received a four-year ban for doping, a harsh but appropriate sanction, as young athletes rarely cheat alone. The World Anti-Doping Agency expressed concern that only Valieva was punished, leaving a negative impression that adults responsible for her care faced no consequences.
Tutberidze, who runs a successful skating school in Moscow, denies involvement in Valieva's doping. However, her accreditation for these Games is questionable, as she secured it through the Georgian Olympic Committee due to her Georgian citizenship. Daniil Gleikhengauz, another coach, failed the IOC's vetting process for Russian athletes or coaches under a neutral banner due to his marriage to a Russian journalist.
Tutberidze's complex background includes an American-born daughter, Diana Davis, competing in Milan for Georgia. She also maintains strong ties with Russian skaters, reportedly coaching Adeliia Petrosian, who will compete as a neutral in the Games. Despite Petrosian's neutral status, the Russians will celebrate any success she achieves.
Irina Rodnina, a three-time Olympic figure skating champion and State Duma deputy, expressed excitement about Petrosian and Petr Gumennik's participation. She expects good performances from them and is thrilled that Russian athletes will compete, having been absent for four years. Rodnina wishes success and good luck to all Russian athletes, emphasizing the country's support.
Tutberidze's coaching journey continues without any diversions, and she hopes to see Petrosian deliver a successful routine, including an ultra-C jump and a triple axel.
