The Moscow Playbook: How Russia Used, Abused, and Transformed Sports in the Hunt for Power

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I speak with Bruce Berglund, the author of The Moscow Playbook: How Russia Used, Abused, and Transformed Sports in the Hunt for Power which is a fascinating journey through the world of Soviet sports and its intricate ties to politics as a means of soft power and national pride.

Bruce delves into the historical context, starting with Stalin’s era, when the Soviet Union began to view international sports as a way to showcase its superiority over the West. The episode highlights the pivotal moment in 1952 when the USSR first participated in the Olympics, marking a significant shift in how the nation approached competitive sports.

We learn how the Soviets achieved strategic advantage through women’s sports, the abuse of amateur status, the controversial topic of doping and how sports science revolutionised the performance of athletes.

The conversation also takes a critical look at the controversial topic of doping. From the early days of using performance-enhancing drugs to the sophisticated systems developed to ensure athletes passed drug tests, the episode sheds light on the lengths to which the Soviet regime went to secure victories.

Listeners will also hear about the iconic “Miracle on Ice” game in 1980, where the U.S. amateur team defeated the seasoned Soviet professionals, and how this event was perceived on both sides of the Cold War divide.

As we transition to modern times, the discussion connects the historical strategies to Vladimir Putin’s current approach to sports and national pride, revealing how the legacy of the Moscow Playbook continues to influence Russian sports today.

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