Glasnost, translated generally as greater openness in the society of the Soviet Union, is a component of the reform program introduced by Mikhail Gorbachev subsequent to his assumption of political leadership in that country. This research examines the effects on sports of reform in the Soviet Union. Sports, in the context of this research, encompasses both amateur and professional activity in competitive athleticsùboth individual and teamùat national and international levels.
The Character of Reform As It Affects Sports
In the six plus years since Gorbachev was elevated to the political leadership of the Soviet Union, far reaching social, political, and economic reform initiatives have been implemented. The content of these reforms is referred to as perestroika (restructuring), while the tone in which they are implemented is referred to as glasnost (openness). Thus, while glasnost per se affects the ways in which individuals react to reforms, it is perestroikaùthe actual restructuringùthrough which the greatest effects of the reforms occur. This character of the reforms is applicable to all areas of activity, including sports.
It is important to understand that perestroika is a complex set of reforms, which is not limited to the economic sector of Soviet society. Significant social and political reforms have also been introduced. In fact, Grobachev stated that the economic reforms cannot be successful in the absence of meaningful social and political reforms. The western media have given the greatest attention to glasnost in the Soviet media, and to debate in the Supreme Soviet. In fact, political and social reform in the Soviet Union under Gorbachev goes well beyond these two phenomena. The restructuring in all aspects of Soviet Society permits greater individual and organizational initiative. This change is particularly significant in the realm of sports, where, in the past, centralized authority has ...