The conflict between the head of the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) Leonid Tyagachev and the head of Rosssport Vyacheslav Fetisov was doomed to happen. When two structures are engaged in similar activities, the conflict of interests is just inevitable. The smouldering opposition used to flare up after big events (Athens 2004, Turin 2006). This time the row began even before the Beijing, and the polemics went on right during the Olympics. After Russia failed, Fetisov was predictably “appointed” to be a scapegoat. Leonid Tyagachev, who is closer to the Kremlin, has proved to be more experienced in the under-carpet struggle.     

An unpleasant signal was sent to Fetisov beforehand, when it was decided to organize a new ministry of sport, youth and tourism, headed by Vitaly Mutko. Three state structures engaged in sport is too much even for our country, overfilled with bureaucracy apparatus. One only could wait till the Olympiad outcomes, so that to come to conclusions.  

Fetisov was responsible for the training process, while Tyagachev was responsible for the team performance at the Olympiad. So their responsibility was shared evenly, and only Vitaly Mutko could go around the Beijing in white gloves, as he only was entering upon his duties. In the meantime, the matters were not going well. 

Fetisov criticized Tyagachev severely for pompous statements made and for the headquarters’ atmosphere where alcohol smell was the main ingredient. In response, Leonid Tyagachev reproved mildly his opponent, as if he already knew about what fortune was doomed for Fetisov.   

Now it seems that he really knew that. This is why he returned from Beijing looking triumphant. Further developments confirmed that he really won in the personal competition: Fetisov resigned and now he is considering possible ways of going for life in the big politics.

The matter is not about who is to be blamed. Both men are convinced that they are doing their best and both consider themselves to be professionals. Both deny flatly all the charges against them (Fetisov was accused of inactivity during the Russian athletes dope scandal). Well, they really did not do much bad, with the exception of the fact they lowered jointly the Russian sport one step down.