Everyone today heard about what was clear before: Putin remains president until 2024. Therefore, the decision to remove Russia from the Winter Olympics for the upcoming presidential elections will not be affected in any way, since there are no elections in Russia, writes the Russian journalist, journalist Leonid Radzikhovsky.
As for how the decision of the IOC was perceived in society, I will say one thing - it was bad news. Part of the society reacted to it, as it should be, they say, it's all "Russophobia" and the struggle of the West against Russia. But a part of Russians, and a rather large part, perceive this as a shame for the state, as a gross error, guilt, or rather, the crime of Russian sports officials.
The whole story is logically consistent with the image of Russia, in the common line of confrontation with the West: geopolitics - I mean the illegal annexation of the Crimea, dishonest sport, unregistered participation of the Russian Federation in the American elections and so on.
But the additional deterioration of relations between Russia and the West due to the decision of the Olympic Committee will not follow. Putin in this situation behaved very peacefully and restrainedly. Yes, hysterics on TV will certainly be. Hysterics in the State Duma will also be. But at the state level, no hysterical action is expected. Russia is afraid of pushing the situation further.
Actually, there is nowhere to go. Further - only North Korea, which Russia does not want to turn into. In addition, Putin does not want to aggravate before voting for himself. Now he needs the image of a peacemaker. Also, Putin does not want to spoil relations with athletes - they are quite an influential part of society and a significant part of the PR community. Russian athletes are so furious. Not only and not so much by the decision of the IOC, as by Russian sports officials.
Someone from the officials, apparently, will be removed, someone - no. The general rule is this: the more the Russian official is scolded in the West, the stronger is his position within the country. This is the usual policy of Russia against the West.
The former Minister of Sports Mutko, who was for life suspended from the Olympiads, apparently will remain vice-premier, but for a short while - in March a new Russian government will be formed, where he most likely will not get.
I note that the International Olympic Committee has made a very sensible decision that Russian athletes will be able to compete under a neutral flag. If the athletes have undergone doping tests, they are not at fault. Russia is being disqualified - as a state - in which the flag and hymn are taken away.