The news about the ban for Russia and Belarus to participate in the tender for the purchase of rights to broadcast the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo and the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles caused a serious resonance in the world of domestic sports.
However, the general producer of Match TV, which has been broadcasting the Olympic Games in Russia in recent years, Alexander Taschin, said that he was not surprised by the decision of the IOC.
“We are talking about the organization of a tender, which can be held separately for certain territories.
We still believe that piracy has negative consequences for the business reputation that we have been building with our partners for many years, so we are not considering this option at the moment.
I hope we will find a legal opportunity to show the Russian audience the competitions at the Olympic Games, ”the RB-Sport functionary quotes.
And a TASS source in the leadership of one of the broadcasters urged to take what is happening calmly and not to panic ahead of time, since the issue of acquiring television rights for Russia remains open and there is a lot of time before it is resolved.
“All this looks like nonsense ... The rights on the territory of the Russian Federation have not really been transferred to anyone yet, they belong to the IOC.
Whether Russia will be admitted to the tender is still unknown, but no one rejected our applications, the tender was simply postponed ... This issue will be considered closer to the event.
This happens with a hundred other sporting events, ”the source emphasized.
The IOC adopted its verdict back in early March.
On February 24, a statement was published on the official website of the organization, announcing the opening of bidding for the acquisition of TV rights for the Olympic Games 2026 and Olympic Games 2028 in Europe.
It specifically stated that the IOC would consider applications from both individual countries and several and offer them various packages.
Bidders also had the opportunity to make an offer to purchase the rights to the 2030 and 2032 Olympic Games in Brisbane.
The deadline for applications was April 25, and the committee promised to examine them through the lens of several principles: meeting the highest standards of broadcasting, the ability to achieve maximum audience coverage, the desire to promote the Olympic Games and the values of the Olympic movement, and also the financial component.
Initially, the release included 51 countries that are included in the package offer for European states, including Russia and Belarus.
But on March 2, the last two were removed from the list.
The reasons for this step were not named.
It was only emphasized that they were "excluded from the tender process."
At the same time, Telesport has owned the rights to show the Olympic Games in Russia in recent years.
She will also broadcast the Olympics 2024 in Paris.
As for the next two Games, so far we are talking only about the acquisition of rights by the European Broadcasting Union, including for the subsequent implementation of sublicenses.
The previous agreement with the IOC will expire just in 2024.
But the committee's release says nothing about a ban on broadcasting the competition in these countries or selling rights to them.
In addition, Russia has a lot of time to resolve the situation.
Nevertheless, experts interviewed by RT are not optimistic.
Well-known sports journalist Dmitry Guberniev complained that he was no longer surprised by the bad news.
According to him, either bad or very bad decisions can now be made with respect to Russia, but it is necessary to fight for your rights to the end.
“There is still time before the 2026 and 2028 Olympics, and we need to make attempts to change the situation for the better.
True, I don’t really understand how, except to pray.
But hope still remains ... In any case, it is necessary to try to negotiate, argue, prepare protests, legally justify your position, ”the commentator said in an interview with RT.
At the same time, he urged to pay attention to a much more serious problem - the preservation of sports in the country, which continues to receive serious blows.
“Now we are talking about the fact that the interests of domestic TV viewers may be infringed, but first the chicken should follow, and then the egg.
Therefore, first of all, we need to make sure that our athletes go to the Olympic Games.
Then the question of TV rights will arise.
And if they don’t go anywhere, there’s no point in following the triumph of the US team and other wonderful countries ... I feel extremely sorry for the athletes who turned out to be hostages, colleagues and even a little myself.
Let's hope that our guys will go to OI-2026 and OI-2028, but now, unfortunately, we are not talking about this at all, ”added Guberniev.
In turn, State Duma deputy Svetlana Zhurova called Russia's removal from the tender a sign of the upcoming tightening of sanctions.
“Now we do not allow to take part in the tender, and then we will prohibit athletes from participating in the Olympics in any status.
This is a signal to both our public and the Western public, so that they understand what the next step can be taken in the sanctions policy.
These are warning signs.
Alas, the situation may worsen,” Zhurova said.
At the same time, she did not rule out a positive scenario for the development of events, in which the athletes will go to the Olympic Games, and domestic spectators will have the opportunity to watch the competitions.
In her opinion, this will happen if the geopolitical situation normalizes.
“The IOC cannot now ban Russians from participating in the Olympics, and then change the decision.
If this is done, then immediately before the Games, and there is plenty of time before them.
The rights are bought in advance.
Therefore, in the future, Russia may still get the opportunity to acquire them.
As they say, extra money never hurt anyone.
At the moment, we can only talk about the political situation.
If in the future everyone agrees, and the sanctions begin to be lifted, then these restrictions can be lifted,” the deputy stressed.