At Sports House, Plenty of Russia, and Some Sports

(ATR) Don’t call it Russia house.

A fixture at the Olympic Games, the Russian hospitality house is undergoing a forced rebrand under strict IOC orders.

Enter Sports House. The name was chosen after names like Russian Red Machine was reportedly considered. An official hired to run the house told Around the Rings, under the condition of anonymity, that the IOC had visited the house multiple times to approve the designs.

The house is run by a number of private backers and cannot be affiliated with the Russian Olympic Committee in any way. The main backer for the house is the Russian Olympians Foundation, although assistance was provided by the Russian Hockey Federation and the Russian Embassy in Korea. The foundation’s backers include Russian billionaires and sports backers Roman Abramovich, Mikhail Prokhorov, and Alisher Usmanov.

There may not be Russian flags, but the patriotic spirit for the country is evident. Lining the red walls of the house are giant Matryoshka dolls, and banners with the slogan "Russia In My Heart". The slogan manifested organically on social media and has become a sort of rallying cry for Russian fans cheering on the Olympic Athletes from Russia.Apparel featuring the slogan is on showcase at the house, but cannot be purchased, the official said.

Those OAR athletes are welcome to come to Sport House, but will not be allowed to wear medals or host any specific victory ceremonies. These ceremonies are traditionally found at many hospitality houses as a way to bring fans closer to their local Olympians.

During a visit on Feb. 13 the house was relatively quiet and showed the United States vs OAR women’s hockey game. Throughout the night Russian pop music played and cheerleaders attempted to get the crowd pumped up. The OAR team lost 5-0.

"We explained that we do the atmosphere for people here from all around the world; not only for Russia," the official explained. "Many people from Korea they have a chance to eat delicious specific Russian delicacies and be a part of a show and if they have an interest in that they can see the sport."

There are two exhibitions in the hall from the partners in the house. The Russian Hockey Federation donated some jerseys and old medals from past Olympic Games to showcase the history of the sport in the Olympics.

The Russian embassy set up a corner to show the history of cooperation between South Korea and Russia. Pictures of Russian President Vladimir Putin with South Korean President Jae In Moon feature prominently, along with pictures of other state visits by Putin.

There is even one picture with Putin and former President Moo Hyun Roh. President Moon is known for his work in the Roh administration. Roh committed suicide in 2009 after South Korean prosecutors began investigating him for potential bribes taken during his presidency.

Even though it is known as Sports House there is no denying that the house looks, feels, and offers a taste of Russia at the 2018 Olympics. Guests munched on Russian snacks and could get airbrushed tattoos of Russian iconography or the Olympic Rings.

"Of course it's Russian style, this is our culture, this is our history, you see some small exhibitions here, so this is our history," the official admitted. "Sport is sport. Of course we cannot call it Russian, and have no flags on the wall, but we do what we can do."

Written by Aaron Bauer

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