Enhanced Disciplinary Measures Suggested for Physical Abuse in Russian Sports Institutions, Supported by President Putin
Straight Talk:
June 9 saw a discussion between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Sports Minister Mikhail Degtyarev focusing on the state of children and youth sports schools in Russia. Degtyarev reported that entry fees for competitions for kids under 18 have been axed nationwide since May 1.
highlighting a disadvantage some parents face when it comes to extras payments in those schools, Degtyarev called for legal reforms, including the possibility of criminal charges for such coercion. Putin stressed the need for equal sports opportunities for all Russian families.
According to Putin, his own career in sports would've likely faltered due to financial constraints if he were starting out today. Degtyarev promised that the initiative ensuring social justice for all families will be carried out collectively with other departments, including law enforcement agencies.
More than 22 million children under 18 are involved in sports in Russia, with over 2 million in sports schools, as reported by the Kremlin press service. In other news, Putin also directed efforts to boost accessibility of sports for people with disabilities across Russia.
To provide some context, Russia has had discussions about eliminating informal payments and fostering transparency in schools, though explicitly targeting sports schools with criminal liability for coercive payments is not currently documented in recent reports. International trends show ongoing legislative efforts battling corruption in educational and extracurricular settings.
- The discussion between Putin and Degtyarev about children and youth sports schools in Russia highlighted the need for policy-and-legislation changes, including the possibility of criminal charges for coercive payments, given the ongoing politics surrounding informal payments in schools.
- Despite the recent policy adjustments,such as axing entry fees for competitions for kids under 18, the general news about sports in Russia continues to focus on the need for equitable and accessible opportunities for all families, as highlighted by Putin's concern about his own career in sports if he were starting out today.
- The sports-analysis landscape internationally shows a continued focus on legislative efforts to combat corruption in educational and extracurricular settings, which coincides with Putin's directives to boost accessibility of sports for people with disabilities and his call for legal reforms in Russian sports schools.
