EFFECTS OF GLASNOST ON SPORTS

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 athletics both individual and team at 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 perestroika the actual restructuring through 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 meaningf

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these actions as strengthening the center, rather than diminishing its role. Under perestroika, the center will deal with higher level issues, while organizations will deal with nuts and bolts, and daily bread and butter issues. In the absence of the primacy of central planning, individual athletes and sports organizations have been able to make their own decisions concerning the emphasis and direction of Soviet sports at the national and international levels. On the negative side, the absence of central planning in Soviet sports has meant that guaranteed funding at sufficient levels to assure international competitiveness has disappeared. Soviet sports under perestroika must stand in line with all other parties seeking governmental funding. More often than not, Soviet athletes and sports organizations in the era of reform are required to develop strategies for self-funding to supplement whatever may be obtained from the state. Second, providing power to the elected representatives, coupled with glasnost in public expression, has led to a mushrooming in the development of voluntary associations in the Soviet Union. The development of voluntary associations led to the development of political alternatives to the Communist P

Category: Foreign - E