I’m writing this from Arlington, VA, where The Americans, the Cold War drama, is ostensibly set, though, anyone who lives in Brooklyn can pick out most of the exteriors in the show. I just rewatched the 30 for 30 documentary Of Miracles and Men about the Russian hockey team and its players, many of whom lost to the Americans in the 1980 Olympics in Lake Placid.

Of Miracles and Men ends on positive note with Slava Fetisov taking the Stanley Cup back to Moscow. It was a symbol of the end of the Soviet Union and the Cold War. That was about twenty years ago now. Things have changed.

If you haven’t seen Of Miracles and Men, I recommend it.

Well, I take that back. First, watch Miracle about the Americans winning in 1980. Even if you know the story, it’s still a great recreation of the events. Then watch the 30 for 30 Of Miracles and Men, then watch Red Army which focuses on Fetisov.

If you read anything I’ve ever written about sports, you know that I like the underdog. I’m a Spurs fan and a Mets fan. Yesterday, in the Champions League final, I was rooting for Liverpool over Real Madrid. (And, yeah, my team selection is pushing the concept of underdog but that’s a discussion for another time.) So, it stands to reason that I would love the story of Mike Eruzione and Jim Craig and our American team from 1980 winning the gold.

But I also love a good alternate narrative. If the accepted story is that it was simply a miracle that we beat the Russians through sheer force of will, that’s a great story. But then you have to take into account how much those Russians won in all other tournaments, how they beat the best Canadian professionals in the world, and how they even beat the US Olympic team in an exhibition before the Miracle on Ice 10-3.

The story of Russian hockey is an amazing one starting with the introduction of “Canadian style hockey” from Stalin’s son in the 1940s. The program was led by a man named Anatoli Tarasov who, even though he was appointed by Stalin, was a passionate joyful mentor to some of the greatest hockey players ever.

I rewatched this documentary because it’s been on my mind ever since I started watching the Capitals in the Stanley Cup playoffs. And I’ve been thinking about Russia because of Trump and Mueller. And I’ve been thinking about Russia and Russian sports since seeing Icarus. And I’m wondering what this year’s World Cup in Russia is going to be like.

We’ll miss out on any potential world politics playing out on the pitch due to the U.S.’s failure to qualify, which may be a blessing in disguise due to Russia’s soccer hooligans (click on that link, it’s bonkers).

The most enduring sports moments are they ones that are representations of the world at large. With what’s happening between us and Russia, I doubt there will be any miracles any time soon.