Clock Running Out for Maria Sharapova and the 2008 Olympics
Posted by Aaress Lawless on Sep 26, 2007 | Print |
The clock ticking off the start of the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing is rapidly counting down and if Maria Sharapova is not careful, she may run out of time to make Russia’s Olympic team.
The Kommersant, a Russian daily online, is now suggesting that if Sharapova does not hit the court soon with her country’s name written across the back of her dress, she will find herself watching the tennis competition from Beijing on NBC Sports, while sitting at home in Los Angeles.
“Should Maria fail to defend Russia in the first half of 2008, she wouldn’t be able to play at Beijing 2008 Olympics,” the paper said. “No more than two women tennis players can represent each country at Olympic singles.”
First that is not entirely accurate. The IOC (International Olympic Committee) has changed the eligibility rules to allow a national team four singles players, with the possibility of two more on the squad playing only doubles.
The Fed Cup participation clause is so murky that the first part of the statement - the part about Sharapova being required to compete in 2008 - could possibly be accurate. Some people say that you have to actually play for your country, others claim that a player needs to only make herself “available” to her nation.
Or more interesting, perhaps team captain Shamil Tarpischev has said that Maria must participate for Russia first or else he won’t name her to the squad?
If this does prove to be true, Tarpischev deserves a pat on the back. Just because Sharapova has the glamor, skills, and the potential to boost TV ratings around the world, does not mean that she needs to participate for Russia. A competitor who has failed to compete at anything for her country rightly deserves to sit on the sidelines while a more patriotic countrywoman takes her place in Beijing.
Still, Sharapova does have “intentions” of competing for Russia in the upcoming Fed Cup year.
“Russia’s tennis star Maria Sharapova will change the schedule next season to play for the national team in the Fed Cup,” said Tarpischev according to the article.
Changing her schedule may not be the answer; Russia’s opening tie with Israel falls right after the Australian Open. Her last chance to compete for Russia before the Olympics begin is the second round of Fed Cup in April.
It’s time for a change in priorities.
If you enjoyed this tennis article, please sign up for a free subscription!
Nina | Sep 26, 2007 | Reply
In an interview with Russian media, Tarpischev clearly said that if Maria wants to play in Beijing Olympics, she has to play for Russia. I am glad to see that the rules are rules.
By the way, Shamil Tarpischev has a blog on sport.ru. You can visit it here.
It is in Russian.
Aaress | Sep 26, 2007 | Reply
Thanks Nina for the link to Tarpischev’s blog!
I don’t know Russian, but with the help of Babelfish, I was able to read a little bit of his entries.