Numerous media sources reported this week that Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin was publicly “booed” at a mixed martial arts event in Moscow’s Olympic Stadium. The YouTube video of the spectacle has already gained massive momentum online, with more than 1 million views.
The mass coverage of the event by the media highlights that as Russian elections approach, first on December 4 (a new Duma, lower house of parliament, will be elected) and later in March 2012 when the presidency is up, sporting events play a central role in Russian culture and sentiment. At the above-cited mixed martial arts event citizens are free to express themselves and their perceptions of Vladimir Putin’s upcoming return on the presidential ticket.
On a similar note, the Russian Federation reacted positively at the announcement that Gennady Timchenko, an influential energy trader and co-owner of Gunvor, was elected president of St. Petersburg’s SKA, Russia’s ice hockey team. As co-head of Gunvor, the “influential” Gennady Timchenko has earned accolades as one of the world’s finest energy traders; news outlets report Gennady Timchenko recently purchased a 37.5 percent take in Sibur—Russia’s biggest petrochemical company.
Gennady Timchenko expanded his business empire by buying a 37.5 percent stake in Russia’s largest petrochemical company, Sibur, news sources report. Gennady Timchenko explained his interest in Sibur in an email interview with Reuters. “Sibur is one of Russia’s fastest-growing companies, and that is why I was keen to accept Leonid Mikhelson’s offer to become a shareholder,” Gennady Timchenko said.
Further, Gennady Timchenko also spoke with journalists at Sports Express about his commitment to SKA and his long-time interest in sports, as well as the overlap between athletics and business. “A club is a clear-cut structure, which certainly resembles a major company requiring adjustment of all processes. The management structure of a sports club is similar to that of a commercial entity. Besides, in business, the identity of each of the stakeholders plays a very important role.” Gennady Timchenko added that because athletes are well-known public figures, “To successfully manage them, you have to choose the right coaching staff.”
Sports and politics. Sports and business. As Gennady Timchenko put it when discussing his future with SKA, “There are differences, but there are many similarities.”
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