Sport in Russia is going through a period of profound transformations and significant challenges. While federations and clubs intensify their efforts to return to the global sporting scene, an urgent need arises: the adaptation of management models to new economic and geopolitical conditions. Essential issues such as improving athlete training, especially after a period of absence from international competitions, and maintaining public interest in domestic competitions are central themes.
The urgency of combining anti-crisis solutions with overcoming new obstacles, such as the search for innovative sponsors, effective collaboration with bookmakers and the optimization of overall management efficiency, was one of the focuses of a recent event. Speakers at the session “Changing Course: Management in the New Reality of Sport”, part of the conference “Masters of Sport: New Rules of the Game”, organized by FCongress, exhaustively debated these complexities. The discussion highlighted the importance of creative strategies to navigate an ever-changing environment.
Gradual reintegration and its first positive signs
Despite a challenging context, signs of a gradual reintegration of Russian athletes onto the global stage are beginning to emerge. Oksana Kosachenko, Investment Director at AFK Sistema, brought encouraging news: Russian gymnasts, following the example of other sportspeople, are now allowed to represent Russia in important international competitions, including the Summer World Artistic Gymnastics Championships. This permission marks remarkable progress.
“We noticed that, slowly but steadily, Russian athletes are returning to full fitness on the international stage, with their flags and anthems,” Kosachenko said. She expressed the expectation that global sport would feel the absence of Russian participation, suggesting a mutual desire for a return to competitive normality. This positive outlook infuses energy into the debate about overcoming current barriers.
The impacts of rule changes in aquatic sports
Dmitry Kozyrev-Gadzhiev, Executive Director of the Russian Aquatics Federation, confirmed this trend of return. He cited the women’s teams’ victory in the Division II World Cup in Malta in April 2026 as a key moment. This was the first Russian team sport to compete internationally under the national flag and anthem, receiving a warm reception from foreign counterparts.
However, Kozyrev-Gadzhiev detailed the profound transformations in athletes’ training methods. During the period of absence from international competitions, the rules of some sports underwent significant changes. This point is crucial, as it illustrates how sport itself is constantly evolving, requiring continuous adaptation from all federations, even those without political isolation.
- Swimming
- Synchronized Swimming
- Water polo
- Heels
This fusion revealed a completely different level of training than usual. In synchronized swimming, for example, the historical advantages of Russian athletes were nullified due to the complete rewriting of the rules. In swimming, with the notable exception of Evgeny Rylov, Olympic gold medals have been scarce over the past two and a half decades. Diving and water polo also show a gradual decline, highlighting the urgent need for innovation and restructuring.
Innovation in training methods and advanced technologies
Despite the obvious difficulties, Kozyrev-Gadzhiev stated that the organization of work has generated promising results. The current focus is not to rest on past achievements, but to move forward with unified approaches and the employment of new technologies. Preparing for the 2028 Olympic Games is a primary goal, and the realization that foreign athletes have an advantage in several areas, as seen at the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore last year, serves as a powerful incentive.
This gap, however, is seen as surmountable. The current situation is interpreted as a “gigantic field for experimentation”, making it possible to test modern methods and evaluate their impact on athletes’ performance. The incessant search for innovation and resilience in adaptation are fundamental elements for any sports federation that aspires to excellence and competitiveness in a dynamic global scenario. The reformulation of the rules in synchronized swimming, for example, demonstrates the volatility of the sporting environment and the need for constant flexibility.
The international return and importance for hockey
The return to the international scene is also of paramount importance for hockey, as highlighted by Sergei Belykh, General Director of the Shanghai Dragons of the KHL (Continental Hockey League). Unlike football, where European competitions often inject capital and visibility into clubs, the KHL has always operated as a more independent and internally focused organization. For this reason, the forced absence of European tournaments was not perceived as an immediate “tragedy” for the league.
Belykh even argued that this “pause” in international competitions brought unexpected benefits. Players, with fewer travel and training obligations for external tournaments, were able to focus on domestic league development without significant interruptions. This perspective offers an interesting counterpoint on how periods of crisis can, paradoxically, boost internal development and resilience in certain sports segments.
Impact on fan engagement and talent discovery
Despite the potential benefits of a greater focus on the domestic environment, Belykh emphasizes that the advantages of a full return to the world stage are even more significant. Participation in international tournaments revitalizes spectators’ interest and provides a platform for athletes to shine, transforming them into new heroes. It is on these global stages that new stars emerge and where the concentration of skill and competition raises the overall level of the sport.
“These tournaments are showcases that reveal new talents, offering a highly competitive environment that helps identify those with the potential to stand out,” said Belykh, reinforcing the importance of international visibility in both hockey and football. The ability to inspire a new generation of athletes and sustain the passion of fans is intrinsically linked to participating in challenges of global caliber. The absence of such a showcase, even with the focus on the domestic environment, represents a gap in the long-term development and projection of future sports icons.
