Former158 Posted August 5 Posted August 5 With RAF heading to Moscow next month---I don't think we talk enough about how Wrestling events can be a great form of cultural diplomacy. I remember the US being the first sports team to visit Tehran after the 1979 revolution in 1998 and being really well received. I hope the Moscow event can also be a show of solidarity we see between wrestling communities as I know I gained alot of respect for Iranian fans/wrestlers during the Goodwill Games in NYC. Their fans were so organized and knew way more than the average American. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-feb-27-me-23606-story.html Here is hoping RAF can create some good news in Moscow. 2
Vicarious Champ Posted August 7 Posted August 7 I really don't think a RAF event will move the needle on US-Russia relations. In fact I wonder whether the US athletes attending really understand the risks. The US Department of State has a Level 4 Travel Advisory, meaning US citizens should not travel to Russia. Department of State Russia Travel Advisory There is a real risk of unlawful detention. Russia would use this as an opportunity to arrest a US athlete for some minor offense and release the US athlete in exchange for some high-value Russian held in US custody (see Brittany Griner case). Not to mention the optics of providing a commercial boost to a country that is waging war on its neighbor. It just seems like a bad idea all around.
1032004 Posted August 7 Posted August 7 6 hours ago, Vicarious Champ said: I really don't think a RAF event will move the needle on US-Russia relations. In fact I wonder whether the US athletes attending really understand the risks. The US Department of State has a Level 4 Travel Advisory, meaning US citizens should not travel to Russia. Department of State Russia Travel Advisory There is a real risk of unlawful detention. Russia would use this as an opportunity to arrest a US athlete for some minor offense and release the US athlete in exchange for some high-value Russian held in US custody (see Brittany Griner case). Not to mention the optics of providing a commercial boost to a country that is waging war on its neighbor. It just seems like a bad idea all around. Well our current FBI director’s GF has sung the national anthem at every RAF event I’ve watched…will she be doing the same in Moscow? 1
AgaveMaria Posted August 8 Posted August 8 Of greater concern is the possibility of a mass drone attack while the wrestlers are there. ” Never attribute to inspiration that which can be adequately explained by delusion”.
ionel Posted August 8 Posted August 8 11 hours ago, Vicarious Champ said: I really don't think a RAF event will move the needle on US-Russia relations. In fact I wonder whether the US athletes attending really understand the risks. The US Department of State has a Level 4 Travel Advisory, meaning US citizens should not travel to Russia. Department of State Russia Travel Advisory There is a real risk of unlawful detention. Russia would use this as an opportunity to arrest a US athlete for some minor offense and release the US athlete in exchange for some high-value Russian held in US custody (see Brittany Griner case). Not to mention the optics of providing a commercial boost to a country that is waging war on its neighbor. It just seems like a bad idea all around. Robert Gilman .
LJB Posted August 8 Posted August 8 I absolutely love anonymous nerds trying to make more of something than what it is… we sent athletes to the Soviet Union when the rest of us were still hiding under our desks practicing nuclear war drills… seriously… what are you nerds afraid of???
Former158 Posted August 8 Author Posted August 8 There certain is a risk, though the point is that wrestling can connect across these divides (ie, Russia and Iran) in ways many other sports cannot. RAF and USA wrestling can benefit from these events with stories about the diplomacy side in publications which would never cover wrestling. A great way to promote/market the sport, however I am not suggesting Tehran should be next. Hopefully someday soon when this war is over.
1032004 Posted August 9 Posted August 9 22 hours ago, LJB said: I absolutely love anonymous nerds trying to make more of something than what it is… we sent athletes to the Soviet Union when the rest of us were still hiding under our desks practicing nuclear war drills… seriously… what are you nerds afraid of??? Nerds!
1032004 Posted August 15 Posted August 15 7 hours ago, LJB said: no clue if this is true or not... Yeah looks like Fox Nation won’t be streaming it, but they’re still selling tickets… https://www.espn.com/mma/story/_/id/49608775/raf-card-moscow-likely-violates-us-sanctions
Jackson Lininger Northern York, Pennsylvania Class of 2027 Committed to Slippery Rock Projected Weight: 149
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