post-Soviet Russia, sporting success

[RUSSIARULES]

Russia's performance at the last winter Olympics in Salt Lake City was disappointing and marred by accusations of biased judging.


French and Russian judges were alleged to have colluded to secure gold medals in separate figure skating competitions.

The teams of Elena Berezhnaya and Anton Sikharulidze of Russia and of Jamie Sale and David Pelletier of Canada both received gold in the pairs' competition after a French judge admitted marking up the Russians.

Now, the poor Olympics showing, and the nation's health problems, appear to have galvanised the Russian leadership into action.

In Soviet times, sport was not only about physical fitness and national pride - it was also one of the tools the Communist regime used to try to prove the superiority of its political system.

Some Russians retain not always fond memories of the compulsory exercise of those days - and have met Mr Putin's declarations of a sporting revival with bemused resignation.

[misha_averko]

Per capita wise, Russia had it best summer showing at Sydney, finishing a close second to the U.S. If Ukraine and Belarus were added to the Russian tally, the U.S finished a distant second. Inlucde all of the former Soviet republics and the U.S is buried.

Salt Lake City was a disappointment. Not to worry though, for Russia will rebound.