Soviet reasons for Olympic decision

Press, 16 May 1984, Page 16

Soviet reasons for Olympic decision

Concern for the safety of Soviet athletes at the Los Angeles Olympic Games is among the principal reasons why the Soviet National Olympic committee has withdrawn the Soviet Union’s entry in the games.

Mr Sergei Buranov, First Secretary (Information) at the Soviet Embassy in Wellington, said in an interview in Christchurch this week that the Soviet Union also objected to “gross infringements” of the Olympic charter by the United States.

“The word ‘boycott’ is being used to describe the Soviet action; I do not agree," said Mr Buranov. “If the Soviet Union wanted to take revenge for what happened with the Moscow Games in 1980, or had wanted to boycott the games, we would have prepared ourselves long ago. “We would not have asked our top athletes to train so hard, or put such a lot of money and effort into preparation over four years. “Many Soviet athletes will be disappointed by the decision, but the situation in Los Angeles makes it impossible for us to send a team. “If our athletes went to Los Angeles under the present arrangements they would be threatened there by a number of extremist groups. These groups have, at least, the moral support of the United States authorities and the tacit approval of Washington. “These groups do not hide their intentions. They would attempt provocations, they would harass the Soviet team. They might even use physical violence such as kid-

napping to score propaganda points against the Soviet Union. “The Soviet Union will not send its top sports players to a situation where they would be subject to this treatment,” said Mr Buranov.

“Would you send a sports team — to Moscow or Los Angeles — if groups there were saying openly that they intended to harass, assault, and humiliate New Zealanders?” Mr Buranov asked.

“Gross violations” of the Olympic Charter included a demand from the United States that Soviet and East German athletes seek visas to enter America. “This is discrimination. Athletes from other countries have not been asked to apply for visas,” said Mr Buranov. “All competitors should be issued with Olympic Identity Cards. The United States is violating this practice and is insisting that it can decide who will attend the games. Already, Soviet officials and journalists have met arbitrary action. One group of journalists has been denied entry. “The United States has said it will reconsider the visa question, but nothing substantial has been done,” said Mr Buranov. “The American authorities have said they will ‘respect the Olympic charter only to a considerable extent’. That is not enough,” said Mr Buranov.

“The Americans have also said that they will provide security for Soviet competitors only at the sports venues. Outside those venues, we believe the security for the athletes will be less than adequate.

“The Soviet Union also objects to the commercialisation of the games. The whole Olympic Games has been given away to big commercial monopolies to further commercial ends, and not to foster the goals and ideals of the Olympic movement.

“Also, there are attempts to smuggle in competitors from South Africa in teams from other countries,” said Mr Buranov. “The Soviet Union did not make the decision to withdraw in any hasty fashion. We raised our concerns several times in Olympic forums. We have tried for months to impress the United States authorities that something must be done.

“The International Olympic Committee agrees that Soviet claims have all legal justification. The United States organising committee agrees, but the United States authorities have decided not to take steps to alleviate the things that concern us,” said Mr Buranov. “This makes it impossible to send our team.”

East Germany had also expressed its concern to the 1.0. C. some months ago, fearing for the security of its athletes. Even countries such as Laos and Mongolia, that had decided not to attend the Olympics, believed they had reason to fear for the safety of competitors.

“Countries politically close to the Soviet Union are following the Soviet decision not because of some agreement, but because of the political situation in the United States. They are likely to be picked

out as targets by those who abuse the Soviet Union.”

Mr Buranov said it was significant that there was world-wide concern about the preparations for the games at Los Angeles. How many countries decided not to go would depend finally on their governments, and how they viewed the situation.

Asked if it was possible the countries not attending might hold an alternative sports meeting. Mr Buranov said: “From the Olympic point of view it is irrelevant whether there is an alternative venue and an alternative games or not. Because of the actions of the United States authorities, the Olympic movement is suffering damage.” He said the Soviet Union would pay a price for not attending. “We are quite confident we have got an excellent Olympic team. We believe we could have won 20 more gold medals than the United States. We appreciate our athletes suffer when we pull out.”

Mr Buranov said the same people in the United States who tried to wreck the Moscow Olympics in 1980 were also behind moves to keep the Soviet Union away from Los Angeles. “These people are trying to damage the Los Angeles Olympics now.” he said.

“Influential circles within the United States at the moment spend billions of dollars on arms. They didn’t want to give a dollar to help Los Angeles stage a proper Olympics. “The same people were behind

the moves in 1980 to keep the Americans away from Moscow. These people are trying now to create an atmosphere of hatred towards the Soviet Union in Los Angeles. "Extremist groups are supported by these circles. They control the extremists who threatened to harass Soviet athletes at Los Angeles. “We believe the extremists are manipulated: they don’t act on their own. We believe such groups are used to further the political ends of certain circles in the United States — inside America and outside. “The Soviet Union did not want to put its Olympic athletes in a situation where they were the victims of such groups and those behind them." Mr Buranov said the Soviet Union was unlikely to change its mind about attending the games. "I am pretty sure the decision of the Soviet National Olympic committee was taken after long and thorough consideration," he said. “Unless something extraordinary happens, no review will be contemplated. “The United States authorities don’t want to undertake anything that would alleviate the problems. We want them to abide strictly by the Olympic Charter. We want them to take measures that would enhance the charter and create a peaceful atmosphere for the games, without prejudicing any country. There is no sign that the United' States is prepared to do that,” said Mr Buranov.