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MOSCOW, December 26 (R-Sport) – Ticket sales for Formula One’s first Russian Grand Prix will start March 4, organizers said Thursday.

F1’s Russian debut is set for October 12 at a new circuit that winds around the venues for February’s Winter Olympics in Sochi.

“The main channel to buy [tickets] will be the website of the Russian Grand Prix promoter, which will start operations in February,” the race’s promoters said in a statement to media.

The support events for the Grand Prix will be GP2, GP3 and Porsche Supercup races, organizers said.

Spartak Moscow Hockey Club Unlikely to Get Bailout, Minister Suggests

ST. PETERSBURG, April 8 (R-Sport) - One of Europe’s best-known hockey clubs, Spartak Moscow, is unlikely to be rescued from its current financial plight with government funds, Russia’s Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko said Tuesday.

Spartak won fame as a four-time Soviet champion and key source of players for the national team’s “Big Red Machine,” but has failed to thrive in Eastern Europe’s modern KHL league and was tipped into a financial crisis when its sponsor Investbank collapsed in December.

Spartak’s reliance on private funds was a comparative rarity in Russia, where most professional sports teams are backed by funds from regional governments or state-controlled companies, but hopes of a government rescue appeared to be dashed Tuesday.

A delegation of Spartak representatives arrived at the Sports Ministry on Tuesday morning, expecting to speak with Mutko, but they were turned away.

“It wasn’t in my meeting plans today. Maybe I’ll meet in the coming days, today, tomorrow,” Mutko told R-Sport.

Mutko suggested that Spartak was not an attractive target for a government bailout.

“I don’t have the possibility to give out 700 million. The product has to be interesting. The club has to be interesting,” he said. Seven hundred million rubles is around $20 million. It's unclear what he was referring to; perhaps the wage bill.

Several Spartak players have left the club as free agents in recent months under a KHL procedure allowing the league to declare contracts invalid if players go unpaid.

Spartak has repeatedly been in financial peril in recent years and has one of the oldest and smallest arenas - the 1950s Sokolniki Sports Palace that seats 5,500 - in the KHL. It skipped the entire 2006-07 season as a result of financial trouble, and last qualified for the KHL playoffs in 2011.

Spartak won the Soviet title four times and regularly finished second behind its fierce rival CSKA Moscow, but is trophyless since the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991. The club has won the international invitational Spengler Cup five times, but most recently in 1990.

On the rebound: The dilemma facing Russian hockey

After Russia’s hockey failure at its home Olympics, ideas differ on how best to rebuild. The root of the problem may lie in the conflicted identity of the Kontinental Hockey League – should it be a rival to the NHL or an incubator for the Russian national team?

Amid Russia’s cascade of gold medals at its home Sochi Olympics last month, there was one black mark on the host nation’s record.

Of all the sports on the program, men’s hockey has the widest following in Russia and the national team’s 3-1 defeat to Finland in the quarterfinals was nothing short of a catastrophe.

“The most disgraceful and disastrous performance in the entire history of the Olympic Games,” one online commenter raged in all caps. “A disgrace for everyone who was on the ice or on the coaches’ bench.” Another was more succinct. “Fire them all.”

Change at the top
Zinetula Bilyaletdinov: Russia’s ice hockey coach

Zinetula Bilyaletdinov: Russia’s ice hockey coach

National team coach Zinetula Bilyaletdinov raged against the dying of the light, taunting journalists to “eat me alive” in the aftermath of the Finland game, but he was fired shortly after Canada beat Sweden 3-0 for the gold medal.

The start of a rebuilding process began on March 26 when Bilyaletdinov’s replacement was named. Oleg Znarok, who has coached Dynamo Moscow to the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) championship in the last two seasons, is to take charge of Russia for the world championships in May.

Znarok (sometimes known as Olegs Znaroks in a nod to his Latvian connections) is best known internationally for coaching Latvia at the 2010 Olympics, but during his time at Dynamo has become known for his devotion to playing a team game on the ice, without much reliance on star players.

For Russia, which in Sochi looked more like a group of individuals than a team, Znarok’s approach could be just what’s needed.

A foreign affair

One option that was never on the table, despite something of a campaign by some Russian hockey writers, was bringing in a non-Russian coach (Znarok may hold German and Latvian citizenship, but he was born in Russia).

A string of foreign coaches, most recently Italian Fabio Capello, have turned the Russian soccer team around in the last 10 years, but the deeply traditionalist Russian Hockey Federation remains wedded to the notion that a Russian must coach the team, even though that means choosing a coach who has little contact with the country’s North American-based NHL stars.
World Cup 2014: Capello building Russian team

World Cup 2014: Capello building Russian team

Meanwhile, there has also been a growth in the number of foreign coaches in the KHL, the main league for Russia and Eastern Europe. The most prominent this season is Dave King, who coached the Canadian team at three Olympics, winning silver in 1992.

In a twist of fate, King and Znarok met in the first round of this season’s KHL playoffs. Znarok’s Dynamo came in as reigning champion and top seed, but fell in a seven-game thriller to King’s Lokomotiv Yaroslavl, which plays a high-tempo forechecking game in the opponent’s zone.

Lokomotiv now has the upper hand in its Western Conference semi-final duel with another big name team, SKA St. Petersburg.

A win there would continue a fairytale run for Lokomotiv, which lost its entire roster and coaching staff in an air crash in 2011 and has been gradually rebuilding as a club ever since.

The contradictions of the KHL

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The Olympic aftermath has also shown how the KHL as a whole is torn between its struggle to rival the NHL as a major international competition and a more Soviet-style view of club hockey as an incubator for the national team.

While 28 teams in eight countries play in the KHL, 21 of those teams are in Russia and the league’s president is Russian politician Alexander Medvedev, meaning it can never quite be considered politically independent.

The clearest example of that is in the league’s limits on foreign players. Russian teams can have a maximum of five non-Russians on the roster, but the equivalent limits for non-Russian teams are so lax as to be meaningless.

The stated aim is to ensure that young Russian talents get ice time without being crowded out by foreigners, but in practice means that mid-level older Russians can ask for higher wages, secure in the knowledge that one of the Russian teams will have to meet those demands to fill its roster.

Meanwhile, the non-Russian clubs can hire cheaper U.S. and Scandinavian players at will, creating rosters that can compete for a fraction of the cost.

While the disparity has always been there, the KHL’s expansion has brought matters to a head this season. Three non-Russian teams are in the last eight of the playoffs, the highest number ever, and with much smaller budgets than their Russian opponents.

In the starkest contrast, tiny Croatian team Medvescak Zagreb stacked its roster with minor-league North Americans (and ex-NHL All-Star Jonathan Cheechoo) and finished above CSKA Moscow in the regular season despite having less than one-eighth the payroll of the Russian club. In effect, the foreigner limit is acting as a brake on Russian clubs.

Vote gets the thumbs-down

Read more columns from sport expert James Ellingworth

The KHL clubs have voted overwhelmingly for a modest raise in the foreigner cap next season, but that could be blocked after Russian President Vladimir Putin used a televised address to signal his disapproval.

While the government can’t formally alter KHL rules, most of the 21 Russian clubs in the league rely on the state for funding, so a U-turn could be on the agenda.

Whatever happens, the question of how Russian hockey should bounce back from its Olympic failure is sure to prompt heated debate for a long time to come.
Source: Russia Beyond the Headlines - http://rbth.com/sport/2014/03/27/on_the_rebound_the_dilemma_facing_russian_hockey_35421.html)

FIFA turns down U.S. request to ban Russia from hosting the 2018 World Cup

The Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) has turned down a request by U.S. senators to ban Russia's national team from participating in the World Cup in 2014 and strip Russia of its right to host the world soccer championship in 2018.

In early March, Senators Mark Kirk and Dan Coats sent FIFA a request to suspend Russia's membership in the organization. According to them, in Crimea, Russia violated Article 3 of the FIFA statutes on discrimination based on racial, political or other grounds.

It was unlikely from the beginning that the senators would receive any answer to their appeal. At FIFA, as well as UEFA, they frown on outsiders who try to meddle in their affairs, especially when they try to mix soccer and politics.

But yesterday U.S. media sources published a reply signed by FIFA Secretary General Jérôme Valcke.

"We would like to emphasize that teams participate in the World Cup and other competitions under the auspices of FIFA solely on the basis of the principle of sports and nothing else."
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FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter said much the same in a comment on the senators' request. "On behalf of FIFA and all national federations, I urge us to unite our efforts and to protect the game from the interference of politics and politicians."

UEFA is in full agreement with FIFA. UEFA president Michel Platini also reacted quite sharply to this question.

"We are tired of such requests," said Platini. “If you want to boycott, boycott the embassy, interfere with economic transactions. Just don't expect anything from us. Unfortunately, there are lots of people in the world who don't like sports, and they are aren't afraid to show it, speaking out with requests like this. Let politicians take care of politics. Sports needs to be a place that brings people together."

19 cities, including St. Pete, bid for the right to host Euro-2020

19 cities, including St. Petersburg, have submitted bids for the right to host the UEFA Euro -2020, according to the UEFA website. The aspirants are Baku, Azerbaijan; Minsk, Belarus; Brussels, Belgium; Sofia, Bulgaria; Copenhagen, Denmark; London, England; Skopje, Macedonia; Munich, Germany; Budapest, Hungary; Jerusalem, Israel; Rome, Italy; Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Dublin, Ireland; Bucharest, Romania; St. Petersburg, Russia; Glasgow, Scotland; Bilbao, Spain; Stockholm, Sweden; Cardiff, Wales.

Bids for the right to host semifinals and the final game have only been submitted by England (Wembley Stadium) and Germany (Allianz Arena).

During a meeting in Lausanne in December 2012, the UEFA Executive Committee chaired by UEFA President Michel Platini took the decision to hold a 'UEFA Euro for Europe' in 2020, rather than a tournament in one or two countries.

In January 2013, the UEFA Executive said that the finals games would be played in 13 cities.
Read more: http://voiceofrussia.com/news/2014_04_26/19-cities-including-St-Pete-bid-for-the-right-to-host-Euro-2020-6275/

Moscow Could Replace Rio as Host of 2016 Olympics

MOSCOW, May 12 (RIA Novosti) – The Russian capital is being considered as a possible replacement host for the 2016 Summer Olympic Games amid doubts that facilities in Brazil’s Rio de Janeiro will be completed on time, a source in the International Olympic Committee (IOC) told R-Sport Monday.

The source added that Moscow's ability to afford the Games was still a question, and that the city could face a few difficulties in preparing certain sport facilities, such as in sailing, equestrian events and cycling.

The London Evening Standard reported last week that the IOC had secretly asked if the British capital, which hosted the 2012 Olympics, would be able to take over from Rio de Janeiro because of the delays in Brazil’s preparations.

The International Olympic Committee said there is "not a shred of truth" to the British newspaper’s report.

Meanwhile, the IOC source said it was highly likely that London venues could be used for the 2016 Games, adding that this decision would be taken after the FIFA World Cup Brazil, to be held between June 12 and July 13.

“The transfer of the Olympics to London is possible. I think the procedure will be like this: the IOC will wait for the results of the World Cup and how they will hold it, and will take a decision after, if no progress is made,” the source said.

With two years to go before the Games, Rio has come under severe scrutiny for chronic delays. IOC Vice President John Coates called Brazil’s preparations “the worst” he had ever witnessed.

London hosted the Olympic Games in an emergency in 1908, replacing Rome after a disastrous eruption of Mount Vesuvius.

Putin Hails Russian Hockey Team World Victory as Important for Promoting Sports

MOSCOW, May 27 (RIA Novosti) – The victory of Russian team at the 2014 Ice Hockey World Championship is significant for the development of hockey and other sports within the country, President Vladimir Putin said during a prize-giving ceremony for team members in the Kremlin.

“Our triumph in Minsk is very important for promoting hockey and sport within the country,” Putin said.

He underlined that with its superb performance, the team made a contribution to the victorious traditions of Russian hockey. The Russian president underlined that the sportsmen defeated their rivals despite the numerous injures they had suffered in the course of the championship.

Putin said that one of the main problems of the Russian national team was lack of coordination between the players from different clubs, but by the time the world cup started, the issue had been resolved. The president congratulated the new coach of the team, Oleg Znarok, on the accomplishment and expressed hope that the team will repeat this success in 2016, when the tournament will be held in Russia.

On Sunday, Russia defeated Finland 5-2 in the finals of the 2014 Ice Hockey World Championship in Minsk to be crowned the world’s best hockey team for the fourth time in the last seven years.

Sharapova supreme once more at French Open

Maria Sharapova won her second French Open title in three years at Roland Garros on Saturday, defeating Romania's Simona Halep 6-4, 6-7 (5/7), 6-4 in a gripping final, the first to go the full distance in Paris in 13 years and the second longest on record.

It was the 27-year-old Russian's fifth Grand Slam title, bringing her level with Martina Hingis in the all-time list and it came 10 years after she won her first major at Wimbledon 2004.

Sharapova, who completed a career sweep of all four Grand Slam titles in Paris in 2012 before losing to Serena Williams last year, also moved to number two on the all-time prize money earnings, with only the American ahead of her.

But it took all her legendary grit and resolve to recover from the loss of the second set on a tie-break after she had stood just two points away from the title at 5/3.

"It's the toughest Grand Slam final I have ever played," said Sharapova.

The consolation for Halep, whose meteoric rise to the top bracket in women's tennis over the last 18 months has projected her as a potential champion, was that she will climb to a career-high third in the world rankings.

The two finalists reached the championship match in starkly contrasting styles.

Fourth-seeded Halep did not drop a single set in her six matches, while seventh-seed Sharapova needed to battle back from first set losses in her three previous outings.

But experience was massively on the Russian's side. This was her ninth Grand Slam final dating back 10 years, while Halep was playing in her first at the age of 22.

Sharapova also towered over her opponent at 1.88 metres (6 feet 2 inches) compared to Halep's 1.68 metres (5 feet six inches).

It was yet another shaky start from Sharapova as the final got underway on a sun-splashed and sultry centre court.

She dropped serve in the first game and was soon 2-0 down, but the Russian promptly found her range and she was back level after a thrilling fourth game that saw several deuces and some big hitting from both ends.

"I can't believe that at 27 I have won the French Open more times than any other Grand Slam."

In what was developing into a final of the highest quality, the first five games all went to deuce, but it was Sharapova who was gradually gaining the ascendancy.

She broke Halep's serve again, this time to 15, to lead 4-2, but three games later her suspect serve once more let her down and the Romanian broke back.

Halep thought was unable to level the score as she dropped serve for the third time, handing Sharapova the set in 57 minutes.

Sharapova opened the second set with a confident love game on serve and then came out on top in another lengthy deuce tussle to move 2-0 ahead.

The biggest earner in women's sport and global superstar was in the driving seat, but her level unaccountably dipped as Halep broke back to level at 2-2.

Two double faults to start the next game had Sharapova looking anxious, but she compensated with some hefty hitting off both flanks to regain the lead.

Three games later the Russian squandered two break points to serve for the match and she played a sloppy service game to follow allowing Halep to break from 15-40 down.

Halep was twice unable to serve out for the set, but she stunned Sharapova in the ensuing tie-break, winning four points in a row from 5-3 down to level the set scores.

The final was into the third set for the first time since 2001 when Jennifer Capriati defeated Kim Clijsters 12-10 in the decider and it was Sharapova who found a new gear just when she needed it.

The Russian broke clear to lead 4-2, before Halep once again reeled her in to level at 4-4.

But the 16th break of serve in the next game finally saw Sharapova on the way to stagger past the winning post after three hours and two minutes of enthralling tennis, according to French Press Agency.

Russia to cancel visas for World Cup fans in 2018 - Putin

"Russia plans to take the FIFA World Cup a step further in some areas. For example, we passed a federal law, establishing a special visa regime for foreigners who will help to organize the 2018 Championship, and enabling not only the official participants, such as the athletes, referees, coaches and others, but also the fans to visit Russia without visas before and during the competition. The history of football championships has never seen anything like this before," Putin told ITAR-TASS ahead of his Latin American tour beginning on Friday, July 11.

"In 2018, Russia will host this most popular global sporting event for the first time in its history," the president said and promised that the authorities would "do everything possible to give the world an unforgettable football celebration and show genuine Russian hospitality".

He recalled that "in February-March, we successfully hosted the Winter Olympics and Paralympic Games in Sochi and know exactly what a challenge it is to organise such a huge event. We are observing Brazil's experience very carefully" and the relevant Russian ministries and agencies were in constant contact with their Brazilian counterparts.

"Representatives of several ministries and organizations, including the Ministry of Sports and the Russia-2018 Organizing Committee, are in constant contact with Brazilian colleagues. They have already visited Brazil and I am sure they will go there again more than once," he said.

Putin expressed confidence that the "the World Cup in Brazil will be a bright page in the history of football" and wished the Brazilian organizers "every success in completing it".

The president said he was trying to follow the World Cup "as far as my work schedule allows".

"The Latin American countries' teams have shown football that has real flare and talent. Unfortunately, our team left the group, but, in my opinion, they tried their best," he said.

At the invitation of Brazil and FIFA Presidents, Putin will visit the final match of the Championship to attend the ceremony of passing the baton from Brazil to Russia.
Read more: http://voiceofrussia.com/2014_07_11/Russia-to-cancel-visas-for-World-Cup-fans-in-2018-Putin-9017/