IOC's decision: (clean) Russian athletes can compete under neutral flag at PyeongChang Olympics

[SkateFanBerlin]

This is just a slap on the wrist for show. Putin will complain and then ‘reluctantly’ agree. No doubt he was aware and agreed to it before it was announced. Russian athletes will compete and nothing much will really change. Russia gets away with it again.

The Osborn commission is still analyzing Sochi evidence. But, clearly a lot of medals will remain with the cheaters.

 

[rhapsody]

Does this include people who were disqualified, but later cleared aka Bobrova?

No. There was a similar ban prior to Rio for Russians who had doped but that did not apply to those caught in the meldonium conundrum. An example is the Russian artistic gymnast Nikolai Kuksenkov who tested positive and then had it revoked like Bobrova. He competed in Rio and won a silver medal with the team.

 

[BlueRidge]

I think you have to take these previous statements from Putin with a grain of salt since they aren't as recent as his press secretary's comments yesterday. The only thing that might have pissed Putin off today enough to send him back over the edge to refusing to let any Russians compete at all is that the ROC ban is indefinite and could impact future Olympics beyond Pyeongchang. He clearly wanted this ban to be a one-off and he didn't get that at all.

I think the only thing that will cause Putin to block the athletes, formally or informally, is if he thinks it will be advantageous for him politically. I don't really think it would be, since Russia got a pretty good deal under the circumstances, so I think he will not do that.

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

Ive been reading on other news sites this morning..

When they say Russia is banned by IOC. It sounds like wow, they wont be attending.

But then you read these articles and its like.. Just kidding you all will be there competing just not with your team jackets or anthems... so whats the punishment? For real.. whats the punishment? Im like.. Heck yes... Ill wear my Lacroix instead of the jackets.... I still get a gold medal, its just doesn't reflect medal for Russia.

If you ask me Russia isn't really banned at all. Just the word, "russia."

 

[BlueRidge]

Like all the ones who are doping outside of Russia. Is that fair too?
Are you way too naive to think only Russian athletes do dope? Because seeing someone like Gatlin in the OG in Rio didn't make sense considering who they banned.

Perhaps all these things together should give a hint to people about the Olympics themselves.

 

[VGThuy]

For a lot of people it’s a big deal and they in a sense lose their identity since the Olympics are all about nationalistic competition. Then if they’re wearing the neutral outfits they might feel some shame as it’s sort of like a scarlet letter.

Anyway, this was a compromise to try to appease all parties. They couldn’t continue ignoring the continued non-compliance and the evidence that was mounted and still be taken seriously. I bet they would have loved to not ban Russia if they could have and still save face as an organization.

 

[caseyedwards]

This is just a slap on the wrist for show. Putin will complain and then ‘reluctantly’ agree. No doubt he was aware and agreed to it before it was announced. Russian athletes will compete and nothing much will really change. Russia gets away with it again.

He’s not paying 15 million for something he didn’t do. He won’t do anything he’s been ordered to do and won’t allow any Russians until ioc reverses all these decisions.

I think you have to take these previous statements from Putin with a grain of salt since they aren't as recent as his press secretary's comments yesterday. The only thing that might have pissed Putin off today enough to send him back over the edge to refusing to let any Russians compete at all is that the ROC ban is indefinite and could impact future Olympics beyond Pyeongchang. He clearly wanted this ban to be a one-off and he didn't get that at all.

What Putin said In public means anything different would be a flip flop. He’s not going to flip flop so publicly so close to an election. I can’t remember another flip flop of his.

 

[BlueRidge]

For a lot of people it’s a big deal and they in a sense lose their identity since the Olympics are all about nationalistic competition. Then if they’re wearing the neutral outfits they might feel some shame as it’s sort of like a scarlet letter.

This is where I wonder if Putin might play up the martyr aspect. Not go so far as say don't compete, but say this requirement that they compete as neutrals is not fair and the athletes are being mistreated but have the courage to go anyway... Win, win for him.

 

[barbarafan]

It was posted on Vasili Konov's twitter account, he is R-sport editor and usually posts a lot of insider information

He refuted this information (about athletes) just few minutes ago, sorry for disinformation, too many articles and different sources
https://twitter.com/VasilyKonov/status/938117092003450882

No problem....it would be horrible if it was true..it is a lot to absorb. I am so glad all innocents will be allowed to compete and hope they decide to do so. I am not so sure that Putin will let them but I truly hope he does. If they do decide to compete I do not think they will be demoralized....I think they will be full of fire to show that they are clean...test away...and they can win medals and show what great sportspeople Russians are and how much pride they have. We have really crappy people around the world in every country who when someone puts the keys to the city in their hands & are convinced they will not be caught will jump at the opportunity especially if the people they look up to and totally trust are pushing them to do so. Unite together in love for the sport and your country and skate lights out. If you are the best that day you should win and be proud.

 

[caseyedwards]

Ive been reading on other news sites this morning..

When they say Russia is banned by IOC. It sounds like wow, they wont be attending.

But then you read these articles and its like.. Just kidding you all will be there competing just not with your team jackets or anthems... so whats the punishment? For real.. whats the punishment? Im like.. Heck yes... Ill wear my Lacroix instead of the jackets.... I still get a gold medal, its just doesn't reflect medal for Russia.

If you ask me Russia isn't really banned at all. Just the word, "russia."

They are all wearing I agree with above Scarlet letter of shame and humiliation toward Russia and all athletes would have to agree Russia is a shame and disgrace as a nation

 

[VGThuy]

If Putin does an about-face, I hope he openly encourages the athletes to participate and tell people to treat them like heroes just so those who want to compete can do so without guilt and minimal shame.

 

[Ka3sha]

Team Russia briefing:
Evgenia: "I am happy to be here and was glad that I had a chance to give a speech. I hope that my speech had a right effect. It's too early to talk about going to Olympics (she was asked 2 times about it, if she goes there and if she wants to go there) "

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

They are all wearing I agree with above Scarlet letter of shame and humiliation toward Russia and all athletes would have to agree Russia is a shame and disgrace as a nation

LOL, big whoop.

waste of time, energy. Drama for the world that was unneeded... as I ALWAYS say just leave the DRAMA to the Bravo network. This was so ridiculous.

I say if you're gonna ban then ban. LOL.... Russia is banned from the Olympics... just not any athletes from Russia... . r u kidding? No punishment then just let it be.

 

[caseyedwards]

If Putin does an about-face, I hope he openly encourages the athletes to participate and tell people to treat them like heroes just so those who want to compete can do so without guilt and minimal shame.

But what happens if one wins a medal and there’s no Russian flag or gold and there’s no anthem and no flag. What do the Russians do? Mouthing the anthem or waving a flag gets the medal revoked? So extreme shame and humiliation is right there at the medal stand

 

[5Ali3]

I remain curious about what will happen to Russian judges on the skating panels.

The judges and members of the technical panels are not part of any country's delegation. This is made very clear when you're there in terms of housing, credentialing, transportation, clothing, etc. The anticipation is that the full delegation of Russian judges will be there, although I wouldn't be surprised by any outcome at this point.

If the athletes are to be introduced as "neutral athletes from Russia," are the judges to be introduced as "neutral judges from Russia"?

 

[WildRose]

Like all the ones who are doping outside of Russia. Is that fair too?
Are you way too naive to think only Russian athletes do dope? Because seeing someone like Gatlin in the OG in Rio didn't make sense considering who they banned.

What part of “Systematic State Run Doping” do you not understand? Or do you really think that Barack Obama and the US Govt set up a doping system for Gatlin that compares to what Russia did in Sochi?

 

[gkelly]

Ive been reading on other news sites this morning..

When they say Russia is banned by IOC. It sounds like wow, they wont be attending.

But then you read these articles and its like.. Just kidding you all will be there competing just not with your team jackets or anthems... so whats the punishment?

No punishment for the athletes who will be allowed to attend, because they didn't do anything wrong.

(Any athletes that have been caught doping won't be allowed to compete.)

The punishment is for Russia the nation, the Russian Olympic Committee, not getting to claim any medals won by Russian-citizen athletes at these Games as part of their historic sports legacy.

 

[caseyedwards]

LOL, big whoop.

waste of time, energy. Drama for the world that was unneeded... as I ALWAYS say just leave the DRAMA to the Bravo network. This was so ridiculous.

I say if you're gonna ban then ban. LOL.... Russia is banned from the Olympics... just not any athletes from Russia... . r u kidding? No punishment then just let it be.

Olympics are about nationalism! That’s why there are flags and anthems! Nothing like that for Russia means hatred of Russia for Anyone who would compete .

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

No punishment for the athletes who will be allowed to attend, because they didn't do anything wrong.

(Any athletes that have been caught doping won't be allowed to compete.)

The punishment is for Russia the nation, the Russian Olympic Committee, not getting to claim any medals won by Russian-citizen athletes at these Games as part of their historic sports legacy.

I think we all can figure out how many medals russia wins despite wikipedia saying 0.

All this is hogwash if you ask me. a waste of time. Its like they just banned a word... although that word is still in the new title of the new country name.

 

[Ka3sha]

Zhukov said that the decision is very strict but still it's not the worst one.
They promised to publish their speeches later, including Evgenia's

Based on Zhukov and Smirnov's answers at the briefing: I don't think that Russian authorities will be against participation under neutral flag. But it's just my own impression

 

[rfisher]

Bach says right now that he doesn't expect Russian athletes to boycott the Games. They can "build a bridge" into a future of clean sport either than erecting a wall (I guess he says that based on his knowledge and maybe even talk with Putin as I understand they are "close")

I sincerely hope they compete and they and show the world they can compete with no drugs. They know who their home country is and so will the rest of the world. I hope this inspires every Russian athlete to skate lights out and win. I also hope every poster hoping none of the Russian skaters would be there to compete against their favorites, heads explode when they medal.

 

[BlueRidge]

Zhukov said that the decision is very strict but still it's not the worst one.
They promised to publish their speeches later, including Evgenia's

Based on Zhukov and Smirnov's answers at the briefing: I don't think that Russian authorities will be against participation under neutral flag. But it's just my own impression

Thanks for your posts on this

 

[reut]

I hope this inspires every Russian athlete to skate lights out and win.

I wonder if it "inspires" Russian officials to change something in what they do, as this is already second Games and second time clean Russian athletes suffer and so far it doesn't look like something is going to be changed soon.

I also hope that every athlete out there, not only Russian, will be inspired "to skate the lights out and win."

 

[teacakes]

The panel, at its absolute discretion, will determine an invitation list for support staff and officials.

So... there can still be Russians on the tech and judges panels, right? As long as they're rubber stamped?

 

[rfisher]

Olympics are about nationalism! That’s why there are flags and anthems! Nothing like that for Russia means hatred of Russia for Anyone who would compete .

Only in your mind.

 

[Hindernisse]

Zhukov said that the decision is very strict but still it's not the worst one.
They promised to publish their speeches later, including Evgenia's

Based on Zhukov and Smirnov's answers at the briefing: I don't think that Russian authorities will be against participation under neutral flag. But it's just my own impression

Could you please give the link to this briefing?

 

[caseyedwards]

Only in your mind.

No there is a campaign in Russia about “no Russia no games” and this banning of any acknowledgement of Russia is not going to play.

 

[skatingguy]

Like all the ones who are doping outside of Russia. Is that fair too?
Are you way too naive to think only Russian athletes do dope? Because seeing someone like Gatlin in the OG in Rio didn't make sense considering who they banned.

It's hard to know what to make of the Gatlin decision. He was banned for 8 years, appealed and had it reduced to 4 years though he was facing a life time ban for a second doping violation in 2006. His first violation was for amphetamines in 2001, for which he received a 2 year ban, and then in 2006 he tested positive for steroids. USADA originally imposed an 8 year ban because he agreed to cooperate with officials to eradicate doping, but I can't find any article that specifies what that means. I would speculate that he agreed to testify against his former training mates as USADA built a doping case against his former coach Trevor Green. I think that a number of things have changed since then and I suspect that had the Gatlin case arisen now he would have been given the lifetime ban.

 

[BlueRidge]

No there is a campaign in Russia about “no Russia no games” and this banning of any acknowledgement of Russia is not going to play.

Hey caseyedwards, I found your picture on the internet

 

[Hindernisse]

Zhukov's speech is up (in Russian):

https://rsport.ria.ru/olympic_games/20171205/1129643991.html