November 18, 2007

The Battle of the Nations Tournament 'Russia vs. America' organized by Bodog Entertainment Groupe Federation and its president and owner Canadian multi-millionaire Calvin Ayre was broadcasted live in the USA where it was watched by more than 20 million people.

'So what's the drift of all this?' the political analysts should probably ask. And how did the people in the USA who understand Russian felt when they heard the audience in Saint Petersburg shout in the presence of the Russian President 'Smash the States!'? But it's not for us to answer and we'll concentrate at the facts and observations of the other kind. On April 14 our president made his appearance in Saint Petersburg Ledovy Palace. He took his seat near Jean-Claude Van Damme (it's a kind of a surrealism movie, isn't it?). Later the former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi joined them. For about two hours the company was enthusiastically watching the rugged fighters (Russian and American) beat each other in the ring by all means possible. The two politicians and the Hollywood star shared everything happening in the ring. V. Putin was laughed heartily, shared comments with Jean-Claude. He was taking off and then putting on his jacket; that depended on the intensity of emotions probably.

Than he asked his guards to bring some water, longing for a drink. Than he suddenly sprang up to his feet to shake the hand of the Russian fighter Alexander Emelianenko who knocked one more oversea guest down. He didn't expect it and was clearly embarrassed. All in all, though he was not the least important figure of the tournament he was not the most important one either.

Van Damme's daughter, 17-year-old Bianca who sat just between Putin and senior Berlusconi was rather bored during the fights. A girl is a girl, she should rather play dolls. And still, 'I'm proud that my daughter sits between such people.' is what a caring daddy Van Damme will say later addressing the audience from the ring. Temperamental Berlusconi was revolving in his seat like a pegtop. By the way, he was the last to come to Ledovy. But still he occupied a hip seat near the aisle which the fighters walked down to the ring accompanied by music and beautiful ladies. So, the former Prime Minister could freely turn around not to miss a single interesting thing.

The President's autograph. As it normally is, the lucky one who got Putin's and, besides, Van Damme's scaratch was a small boy. He was embarrassed for long but then at last he came up to the Sirs and held out paper and pen. It took Putin a lot of time to get to know the boy's name, he signed the sheet, hugged the kid and then passed the pen and paper to Van Damme. He also left his celebrity mark on it.

The main intrigue of the 'Russia vs. America' tournament turned out to be fleeting. The combat of the World Professional Fighting Champion, European Combat Sambo Champion Fedor Emelianenko and the American Matt Lindland didn't last long. The USA athlete fell 2 minutes 38 seconds after the fight began. 'Painful arm hold! Victory!' the referee announced. The audience went mad. Everyone sprang to their feet including Putin, Berlusconi and Van Damme. 'We tried to win so that we were considered and known,' said Fedor frowning grimly. And went to Konstantinovski Palace with the other key fighters of the tournament. To drink tea with the President.

The banquet couldn't pass without any speeches pronounced. So, the host took advantage of the moment and addressed his guests. 'It's a great honour for us to receive the best fighters here,' Putin pointed out. 'I'm not talking about the winners or those who lost this time, you are all outstanding athletes and we are very much honoured by your company, brought joy to our supporters. Your sport is very rough, but it's not deprived of generosity, respect towards the adversary.

This is a sport of brave people. Jean-Claude Van Damme kept up with the Russian leader. He thanked the athletes and did justice to Putin, 'I know that statesmen are good at speeches, but what the President has just said were not the words of a politician, but a man who speaks sincerely. Besides, it's a man who knows what sport is and continues practicing it himself.'

Ruslan Kravtsov, The Metro Newspaper, April 14, 2007.