Editorial: top sports and politics – tough knot to cut

Photo: Raigo Pajula

For Estonian state officials, visiting Russia often proves a hot potato. With obvious mutual interests absent – like with border treaty talks – a conflict of values is easily stirred, and the question is asked what will be the impression of the trip.

Luckily, Estonia has few politicians eager to identify with Mr Putin’s vertical power. On the other hand, Russia cannot be totally ignored – they are our neighbours and, on official level, we might as well maintain constructive relations, more or less. 

Let’s recall 2005, as Estonia’s President Arnold Rüütel went not to Moscow, to celebrate a round figure of Victory Day; meanwhile, Latvia’s Vaira Vīķe-Freiberga accepted the invitation – in hindsight, nothing bad happened, one may say. May of 2010 nearing, the issue arose again; this time around, Estonia’s President Ilves went to Moscow. No brainer to conclude that with Mr Ilves’ past and background, it was a lot easier to take the trip than for Arnold Rüütel.

Thus, not too surprising, really, that some now raise the awkward issue, regarding Prime Minister  headed to Sochi: will he really be supporting Estonian sportsmen, or rather Putin Regime’s desire to showcase Russian glory and pomp?   

Indeed, the same issue was also up regarding the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics – also visited by Mr Ansip. The sports fan that he is, no wonder the man favours bleachers for an arm chair.

No doubt, supporting one’s sportsmen is noble and nice for any prime minister. Even so, it’s difficult to grasp the construct that a government head can visit a grand event of a sharply political backdrop while remaining mere private person. On TV airings of opening ceremonies, who will show an unknown Estonian sports enthusiast? Rather, cameras will capture a prime minister, escorted into the same VIP area with monarchs and presidents. That comes with the office – just as bodyguards and black fancy cars.

It’s another issue, of course, how problematic countries like Russia get the Olympics at all. Probably, the will to show the world their greatness, largesse and grandeur is so strong as to bring into play billions of dollars splashed on stadiums and political capital spent on lobby. Top sports and politics are tied by a tight knot of human nature. Too tough to cut.