BY DOUG STRAND

How is life in the Soviet Union? Mr. Sid Drain, a Business Education teacher at Maine West, has some idea, having just returned from a 12‑day trip to Russia.

Being one of 28 persons in the United States eligible to judge in international gymnastics, Mr. Drain was selected to judge at two international meets held in Russia: the Moscow Newsprize and the Riga International. So he packed up and left for Russia during spring vacation, on Mar. 27. He returned to Maine West on Apr. 7.

Looking back on his experiences, Mr. Drain says that he would not like to return to Russia if the chance came up again. He feels this way because of the depressing atmosphere of life in Russia. The Russian people, in Mr. Drain's opinion, did not seem happy. "When you look in their eyes, they are rather lifeless." He saw few Russians smiling. Instead they seemed rude to each other, as though they were in a "struggle for survival."

Mr. Drain speculated that an oppressive Russian government was the reason for the people's unhappiness. Most of the Russians are denied the luxuries which Americans take for granted. Consumer goods which are quite common in the United States, such as jeans and chewing gum, are unavailable in the Soviet Union. But they are still very much in demand. Mr. Drain himself was approached in Moscow by a Russian and was offered 400 rubles, which is equivalent to about $600

American for his jean jacket. Six hundred dollars was very tempting, but Mr. Drain chose to refuse the offer rather than risk being arrested by the Russian secret police, which was a strong possibility.

Wearing jeans, Adidas gym shoes, and not wearing a hat, as most Russians do, Mr. Drain said that he plainly stood out from the drab, conservatively‑dressed Russians. Because their ways seem strange, Americans are a curiosity in Russia. Still, Mr. Drain saw signs of "Westernization." Music played in Russia, for example, includes some American tunes, such as the disco music from "Saturday Night Fever."

Foreigners themselves, about 300,000 of them, are expected to flock to Moscow for the 1980 Olympics. Mr. Drain saw evidence of exterior modernization and beautification being carried out as the Russian government attempts to make Moscow appear impressive, at least as long as the foreigners are in town.

Sports and athletics, according to Mr. Drain, are highly valued in Russia. Exceptional athletes, as early as the ninth grade, are put in special sports schools. Future Olympic contenders go through intense training, usually seven to eight hours a day for seven days a week. Mr. Drain found the athletic facilities "second to none." With so much going for them, Mr. Drain concludes that, at least in the case of the Russian gymnasts, "nobody can beat them in the '80 Olympics."