By Giya Saralidze exclusively for Vestnik Kavkaza
The closer the 2015 European Olympic Games hosted by Baku are, the more critical the articles appearing in Western media are. The main arguments of the critics are as follows: the busy schedule of sporting events, the high expenses for preparations, the willingness of Azerbaijan to use the Games to demonstrate its sports, tourism and business potential, and violations of freedom of speech and human rights.
I have had many conversations with Western colleagues about major sports events in Russia. I must say that they have the same set of critical arguments both for Russia and Azerbaijan. Let us analyze their logic.
Busy schedule of athletes
Firstly, the schedule of competitions in different kinds of sports included in the Olympic program is different. The schedule is mostly busy with sports popular on television, and, consequently, sponsors. Athletes of popular sports basically live from Olympics to Olympics. New competitions drawing the attention of the mass media and the public are a blessing for athletes.
Secondly, the schedule of competitions has priorities. The numerous commercial tournaments that organizers set their bets on are one thing, continental-scale games allowing more athletes from different countries to show their skills are a different thing. It is hard to understand why Pan American and Asian Games have been held since the mid-20th century, while Europe has never organized anything similar.
Thirdly, at the very beginning, when the idea of a European Olympics was just born, national sports federations were against it because of the schedule and expenses. After they learned that Azerbaijan will cover all the expenses, including transportation, accommodation and uniforms, their attitude changed. Time in the athletes’ schedule was miraculously found!
The big money the country spends to host sports events
This argument from countries that have turned sport into big business is strange at least. Were officials of the International Olympic Committee, FIFA or UEFA not considering the financial potential of countries bidding to host large competitions? It turns out that Azerbaijan hosts the European Free Calisthenics Championship to the astonishment of everyone and no one wonders about the financial aspect. But when it is about a large competition that would become a major event, journalists start scrupulous calculations.
Critics of financial expenses often compare the costs of such events. Germany ends up needing less money than Azerbaijan. But they always forget to count how much Germany invested in its infrastructure, sports facilities, logistics, etc. Following this logic, major competitions need to be held where everything has already been built.
By the way, the topic of expenses has already been discussed during Azerbaijan’s preparations for the 2012 Eurovision Song Contest. Now the stadium built for that in Baku will be used for different sports of the European Games next year. It is clear that Azerbaijan will manage to organize the Games and the country has all it needs.
Azerbaijan wants to use the Games to promote the country
It is hard to argue with that because it is true. The only thing unclear is why would promoting the country and its potential be bad. I tried to ask my Western colleagues why the Olympic Games in Barcelona or the UEFA Euro in Portugal, where the appearance of the cities and countries was enhanced to stimulate investments and millions of tourists, was fine but the same in Azerbaijan or Russia was bad.
Freedom of speech and human rights are violated in Azerbaijan
It is common knowledge that authoritarian regimes are often notable for being isolated from the rest of the world. Big events attract millions of tourists, journalists, high-ranking guests. They should be a challenge for everyone willing to change the situation in the country. The opposition, national minorities or labour unions use the events for their own interests, organizing demonstrations and making speeches at competitions. Hiding anything, considering the modern technical and communication opportunities, is impossible. It appears that those who are actually worried about human rights or freedom of speech should insist on holding such events in problematic regions of the world.
The argument has critics and a philosophical side. It is strange that someone has the courage to decide which countries are worthy of hosting big sporting events and which are not. International sports organizations were created specially to unite nations and countries with different histories, traditions and mentalities with the help of sport. And now, some countries seem to be using sport as a tool for pressure and blackmail against others, which contradicts the Olympic Charter. Baron Pierre de Coubertin’s principles became just a nice curtain, not principles of international sport.
Otherwise, how can we explain the loss or twisting of one of the main postulates of the Olympic Charter: “Any form of discrimination with regard to a country or a person on grounds of race, religion, politics, gender or otherwise is incompatible with belonging to the Olympic Movement.”
The list of arguments does not hold waterBy Giya Saralidze exclusively for Vestnik KavkazaThe closer the 2015 European Olympic Games hosted by Baku are, the more critical the articles appearing in Western media are. The main arguments of the critics are as follows: the busy schedule of sporting events, the high expenses for preparations, the willingness of Azerbaijan to use the Games to demonstrate its sports, tourism and business potential, and violations of freedom of speech and human rights.I have had many conversations with Western colleagues about major sports events in Russia. I must say that they have the same set of critical arguments both for Russia and Azerbaijan. Let us analyze their logic.Busy schedule of athletesFirstly, the schedule of competitions in different kinds of sports included in the Olympic program is different. The schedule is mostly busy with sports popular on television, and, consequently, sponsors. Athletes of popular sports basically live from Olympics to Olympics. New competitions drawing the attention of the mass media and the public are a blessing for athletes.Secondly, the schedule of competitions has priorities. The numerous commercial tournaments that organizers set their bets on are one thing, continental-scale games allowing more athletes from different countries to show their skills are a different thing. It is hard to understand why Pan American and Asian Games have been held since the mid-20th century, while Europe has never organized anything similar.Thirdly, at the very beginning, when the idea of a European Olympics was just born, national sports federations were against it because of the schedule and expenses. After they learned that Azerbaijan will cover all the expenses, including transportation, accommodation and uniforms, their attitude changed. Time in the athletes’ schedule was miraculously found!The big money the country spends to host sports eventsThis argument from countries that have turned sport into big business is strange at least. Were officials of the International Olympic Committee, FIFA or UEFA not considering the financial potential of countries bidding to host large competitions? It turns out that Azerbaijan hosts the European Free Calisthenics Championship to the astonishment of everyone and no one wonders about the financial aspect. But when it is about a large competition that would become a major event, journalists start scrupulous calculations.Critics of financial expenses often compare the costs of such events. Germany ends up needing less money than Azerbaijan. But they always forget to count how much Germany invested in its infrastructure, sports facilities, logistics, etc. Following this logic, major competitions need to be held where everything has already been built.By the way, the topic of expenses has already been discussed during Azerbaijan’s preparations for the 2012 Eurovision Song Contest. Now the stadium built for that in Baku will be used for different sports of the European Games next year. It is clear that Azerbaijan will manage to organize the Games and the country has all it needs.Azerbaijan wants to use the Games to promote the countryIt is hard to argue with that because it is true. The only thing unclear is why would promoting the country and its potential be bad. I tried to ask my Western colleagues why the Olympic Games in Barcelona or the UEFA Euro in Portugal, where the appearance of the cities and countries was enhanced to stimulate investments and millions of tourists, was fine but the same in Azerbaijan or Russia was bad.Freedom of speech and human rights are violated in AzerbaijanIt is common knowledge that authoritarian regimes are often notable for being isolated from the rest of the world. Big events attract millions of tourists, journalists, high-ranking guests. They should be a challenge for everyone willing to change the situation in the country. The opposition, national minorities or labour unions use the events for their own interests, organizing demonstrations and making speeches at competitions. Hiding anything, considering the modern technical and communication opportunities, is impossible. It appears that those who are actually worried about human rights or freedom of speech should insist on holding such events in problematic regions of the world.The argument has critics and a philosophical side. It is strange that someone has the courage to decide which countries are worthy of hosting big sporting events and which are not. International sports organizations were created specially to unite nations and countries with different histories, traditions and mentalities with the help of sport. And now, some countries seem to be using sport as a tool for pressure and blackmail against others, which contradicts the Olympic Charter. Baron Pierre de Coubertin’s principles became just a nice curtain, not principles of international sport.Otherwise, how can we explain the loss or twisting of one of the main postulates of the Olympic Charter: “Any form of discrimination with regard to a country or a person on grounds of race, religion, politics, gender or otherwise is incompatible with belonging to the Olympic Movemen
