Russia hates on the Olympic Games, relishing ‘scandals’ and controversy in Paris
Cast out of the Olympic Games as a pariah due to its ongoing war in Ukraine, Russia appears to be hell-bent on hating on the international sporting tournament in Paris.
After Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Russian athletes were banned from performing in the 2024 Games unless they participated as “Individual Neutral Athletes.” As such, there are only 15 Russian athletes competing at the Summer Games in France this year.
Various Russian media outlets, the vast majority of which are linked to the Russian state, have appeared to revel in misfortunes and controversies — both significant and less so — that have sprung up during the competition, ranging from complaints over the catering in the Olympic Village to the gender furor in the women’s boxing event.
With nothing to win and less to lose, Russia’s media coverage of the Olympics has been invariably negative about the competition, host France and the organizer, the International Olympic Committee (IOC).