2024 World Friendship Games

[fishbane]

Russia previously announced their intent to revive the World Friendship Games this year.  It is scheduled to be held September 15-29 and wrestling is on the program among other sports.  Russian officials states that they expect at least 70 countries to partake.  Have any countries announced they are sending a team?  Do you think any American wrestlers will compete?

Flo has been pushing the idea of Jordan Burroughs trying to make the 2024 World Team at 79kg and the possibility of him meeting Sidakov there.  I'm not sure how likely that is to happen, but I also recently saw on social media that Sidakov is planning to enter into MMA.  I'd think Dake or Burroughs going to the Friendship Games for another crack at Sidakov at 74kg before he goes into MMA would be a pretty compelling story.  Similarly Spender Lee seeking out Uguev or Snyder taking on Sadulaev there would be pretty badass, in my opinion.  Almost like something out of a Rocky Movie.

For those that don't know the history of the Friendship Games, they were last held in 1984 when Russia and much of the Eastern Bloc boycotted the 1984 Olympics in LA.  Athletes from 49 countries participated including nearly all the top athletes in the Eastern Bloc.  The only American to make the trip was sprinter Alice Brown who won a Silver medal in 100m LA.  She was unable to duplicate her success in Moscow and did not medal at the Friendship Games.

[Bahme]

I think it would be amazing to see Burroughs, Dake, or Snyder compete there, especially with potential matchups against Sidakov, Uguev, and Sadulaev. If Sidakov is really going into MMA, a final showdown at the Friendship Games could be epic! Anyone else think this could be a good opportunity for our wrestlers to get some unique international experience?

[CHROMEBIRD]

It's like 6 weeks after the Olympics, so maybe it'll see a lot of B-Team talent, if teams show up at all. For wrestling, it would overlap with U20s and be about a month before U23s and Worlds. So my expectations are low.

[1032004]

Is Ukraine invited?

[fishbane]

6 hours ago, CHROMEBIRD said:

It's like 6 weeks after the Olympics, so maybe it'll see a lot of B-Team talent, if teams show up at all. For wrestling, it would overlap with U20s and be about a month before U23s and Worlds. So my expectations are low.

I think the timing is better than in 1984.  In 1984 they had some events before the Olympic Games and others after.  That schedule doesn't seem likely to draw many nations participating in the Olympics, but the 1984 Friendship games were largely supported by teams that were boycotting the 1984 Olympics.  This time around, I suspect they think it's more important to try and get teams to do both rather than boycott the Olympics in favor of the Friendship Games.

[nhs67]

I am not so sure that even if the event goes off without a cinch that the western folk should be expected to attend, let alone be invited.  Look what happened to a D-list athlete in Griner.  Imagine if we send A-list athletes.  We'd have to trade Hunter Biden to get JB back.  It would be worth it, yeah, but still.

[fishbane]

2 hours ago, nhs67 said:

I am not so sure that even if the event goes off without a cinch that the western folk should be expected to attend, let alone be invited.  Look what happened to a D-list athlete in Griner.  Imagine if we send A-list athletes.  We'd have to trade Hunter Biden to get JB back.  It would be worth it, yeah, but still.

It is a risk.  If the US isn't invited maybe he could apply to participate as a neutral athlete represent AIN or something?  Though I don't think any nations weren't invited the last time.  It could be a compelling competition at least in terms of wrestling. None of the men's freestyle gold medalist from the 2021 Olympics will be in Paris.  It's possible 3 (Uguev, Sidakov, and Sadulaev) will be at this.

[CHROMEBIRD]

7 hours ago, nhs67 said:

I am not so sure that even if the event goes off without a cinch that the western folk should be expected to attend, let alone be invited.  Look what happened to a D-list athlete in Griner.  Imagine if we send A-list athletes.  We'd have to trade Hunter Biden to get JB back.  It would be worth it, yeah, but still.

But if we send AJ, imagine what the Russians would offer us to take him back

[fishbane]

The talk about US wrestlers potentially getting stuck in Russia reminded me of Sam Hazewinkel's retelling of the time Michael Lightner nearly got stuck in Dagestan.   The Russian mob fast tracked him out of the country.

https://www.flowrestling.org/video/6745216-hazewinkels-crazy-michael-lightner-story

Edited June 25 by fishbane

[Old Dirty]

I have competed against hundreds of Russians.  They arent friendly and they cheat

[fishbane]

On FRL today JD said Russia pushed the date for the World Friendship games until July 2025.  Not sure if that's true or not.  I found a Reuters article (link) that says Inside the Games is reporting this, but the website still says 2024 on it.