Hitting Him Below the Belt

Even if the man is displaying his true man virtues, losing his blackbelt might make him permanent.

Vlad Putin is a propaganda machine for toxic masculinity over the past years. He has become a media sensation with his testosterone-induced posturing. His shirtless actions include shooting with weapons and piloting a fighter plane. He has scored eight goals in a hockey match (with opponents giving 50-percent effort) and we’ve seen him scuba diving a wreck (while “discovering” planted artifacts).

The man displays no emotions, so this is machismo propaganda. He has the charisma of a dentist’s waiting room and exudes all the charm of a flat tire, so fabricated alpha-male dominance is used in their stead. As more responses to the Ukraine invasion take place, this athletic underpinning is under threat.

As a consequence of his aggression, Putin has had his Olympic Order award removed. This award is bestowed by the International Olympic Committee to individuals. The International Olympic Committee usually gives this award to people who helped organize an Olympiad. Another way of seeing it — a payoff. Nowadays, IOC can be described as nothing more than an ingenious outfit that seeks to acquire wealth rather than distribute precious metals in recognition of athletes’ achievements.

As the executives pay lip service to spreading peace and promoting international harmony, just look at the frequency with which they award Olympiads to nations like Russia and China — twice in 15 years — as well as incorporating North Korea in the Pyeongchang Games in 2018. The country of Russia has gone through years of doping scandals, and yet the IOC can only give symbolic punishments, such as declaring the participants do not compete under the flag of Russia but as “Russian Olympic Committee” athletes, because that is completely different, or something. 

The IOC today announced it would be ending the honorary award it had bestowed upon Putin. That is almost like saying Dr. Jill Biden that she won’t have the license to do surgeries anymore. Putin received this award in 2001. Since then, he had infiltrated Ukraine only once. Plus, for this outfit to claim they promote peace, how do they explain awarding it to Zimbabwe’s Robert Mugabe, who once jailed his nation’s Olympic athletes when they failed to win any medals at the Rio Summer Games?!

This is hardly Putin’s only athletic setback. Just delivered was another dire announcement that will make Putin rethink all his machinations, and eventually pull his troops from the nation under siege.

In response to the violence in Ukraine on Monday, World Taekwondo took Putin’s honorary belt.  

You can bet that unearned athletic achievements like this one are important. Ask Elvis. His belt degree being revoked in this manner is an attack on his character that will make Vlad run to the mirror and stare intently at his reflection. Putin could also be offended in another area: hockey, his favorite sport.

The National Hockey League Announcement was issued regarding Ukraine’s attack. Five percent of the roster space is occupied by Russian-born players. There are 55 of these Russian-derived players. While the NHL is cautious towards Russian heritage players, it makes some hard decisions about their home country.

We are ceasing all business relationships in Russia, and are also suspending Russian-language social media and digital media platforms. Additionally, any further competitions that involve the NHL will not be held in Russia are being canceled.

International Ice Hockey Federation He has taken the same stern standIt announced that it would banish all Russian and Belarusian teams from any competitions that involved teams of all ages. It would include participation in six events including the Ice Hockey World Championship, which will be held this May. It was announced that the 2023 World Junior Championship won’t be hosted in Russia.

Putin could be punished by the International Equestrian Authorities for his harsh actions.

Putin is at least able to ride on a small horse. pic.twitter.com/xZFL1lfPkp

— Karen Haygood (@khaygoodstokes) February 28, 2022