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

[Ka3sha]

Where was that announced??

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

 

[Wyliefan]

Thank heaven for that. I was feeling gutted for the athletes, and I'm not even a big fan of any of them.

But if Putin does keep everyone out, that will suck so hard. (And yes, I'm fully aware and disgusted that Russia encouraged systemic doping.)

 

[ToFarAwayTimes]

Yes, the disgust should be aimed at the Russians for cheating. Sochi Olympics were tainted by unprecedented cheating.

This is unfortunate for athletes who had nothing to do with the cheating, but the systemic nature of the corruption means that most or all Russian athletes were probably dirty in the last Olympics, found guilty or not. Bad deeds cannot go unpunished. And the Koreans will be most happy. Payback is a *****.

 

[skatepixie]

Where was that announced??

It wasn't. I think someone skimmed and missed the phrase "of the leadership"

 

[Polaris]

You reap what you sow.

 

[meggonzo]

https://www.olympic.org/news/ioc-su...te-in-pyeongchang-2018-under-the-olympic-flag

This doesn't say anything about all athletes that competed in 2014 being banned.

 

[snoopy]

But if Putin does keep everyone out, that will suck so hard. (And yes, I'm fully aware and disgusted that Russia encouraged systemic doping.)

I don't think Putin is that stubborn actually. if a Russian athlete medals, everyone is still going to know that was a Russian athlete.

 

[Ka3sha]

I don't think Putin is that stubborn actually. if a Russian athlete medals, everyone is still going to know that was a Russian athlete.

Team Russia's briefing will start in 30 minutes, I guess we will have more information after that

 

[Vash01]

Thank heaven for that. I was feeling gutted for the athletes, and I'm not even a big fan of any of them.

But if Putin does keep everyone out, that will suck so hard. (And yes, I'm fully aware and disgusted that Russia encouraged systemic doping.)

I hope Putin won't sink that low but he is capable of it. This is my biggest fear.

I may boycott watching the Olympics if there are no Russians in it. I would still be tempted to watch men's FS and ice dance but nothing else.

 

[kwanfan1818]

This doesn't say anything about all athletes that competed in 2014 being banned.

Yes, I posted accidentally before I could write the post, and I've updated it.

The article provides guidelines for the invitation, but, ultimately, they claim total control over who will and won't be invited.

I don't know if they'll do formal invites, if Putin says no Russian athletes will compete under the IOC's terms.

"The Curling News" tweeted furiously:

/1 BREAKING: In a stunning development out of Lausanne, the IOC has decided NOT to ban Russia from the #PyeongChang2018 Olympic Winter Games. Rather, the IOC has elected to ban Russian athletes from competing as Russians at those Games.​

 

[Winnipeg]

He may view it as a principle if he believe that Russia is innocent and wrongly found guilty - making a statement like past boycotts by US and (then) USSR?

 

[Winnipeg]

Has there been consideration of having a neutral, international tester and auditor

 

[ToFarAwayTimes]

He may view it as a principle if he believe that Russia is innocent and wrongly found guilty - making a statement like past boycotts by US and (then) USSR?

He doesn't believe they are innocent. He was the one who ordered the cheating, he knows exactly what happened. Whatever he does, his actions will be motivated by politics, nothing more.

 

[Twilight1]

Not surprised with this ruling. For every action there is a reaction and finally consequences. I would feel this way about any country even my own.

You cheat, you are banned. period.

At least clean athletes can be there. Wonder if Mr Putin will be an a$$hat and prevent the Russian atheletes who can be there from competing.

 

[reut]

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")

 

[Vash01]

I hate the Olympics. They are always used as a political weapon. The USA and USSR were the worst, in destroying dreams of their own young men and women. I am afraid that Putin belongs to the same class.

If they do get to compete, I hope the Russian ladies will sweep the podium.

 

[kittyjake5]

I won't deny that I am happy that the athletes did not get banned.

 

[WildRose]

He may view it as a principle if he believe that Russia is innocent and wrongly found guilty - making a statement like past boycotts by US and (then) USSR?

Do you seriously think that Putin was unaware of Russia’s state run drug cheating? Who do you think ordered it???

 

[VGThuy]

I hate the O.ympics. They are always used as a political weapon. The USA and USSR were the worst, in destroying dreams of their own young men and women. I am afraid that Putin belongs to the same class.

If they do get to compete, I hope the Russian ladies will sweep the podium.

I'm sorry, but your last statement is just continuing that politicization. It's one thing to sincerely want a Russian sweep because you're just a big fan, but it's another to want it to show up the "evil countries that conspired to punish Russia" because you're showing you don't care about the other athletes from other countries by wishing this.

 

[missing]

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

 

[caseyedwards]

I won't deny that I am happy that the athletes did not get banned.

But not one Russian will compete as it means hating Russia

 

[Vash01]

Not surprised with this ruling. For every action there is a reaction and finally consequences. I would feel this way about any country even my own.

You cheat, you are banned. period.

At least clean athletes can be there. Wonder if Mr Putin will be an a$$hat and prevent the Russian atheletes who can be there from competing.

Not true. East Germany, China, and I don't know who else, were never punished despite a lot of state sponsored cheating and winning medals.

From what I am reading, it sounds like the IOC has some special tests to determine 'clean' for only Russian athletes, and only the IOC gets to decide who from Russia will get to compete. The tests should be same for all countries. From what's written here, it doesn't sound that way.

ETA- strange that I had to click on reply 4 times before this got posted. Not surprisingly, this thread must be overloaded right now.

 

[WanderlustTO]

Not surprised by this. TBH Russia deserves this. I feel bad for the athletes who are innocent of wrong doing. But it is what it is.

 

[WildRose]

Has there been consideration of having a neutral, international tester and auditor

https://www.wada-ama.org/en/who-we-are
“The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) was established in 1999 as an international independent agency composed and funded equally by the sport movement and governments of the world. Its key activities include scientific research, education, development of anti-doping capacities, and monitoring of the World Anti Doping Code (Code) – the document harmonizing anti-doping policies in all sports and all countries.”

 

[skatingguy]

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

I think that will remain to be seen though it seems unlikely that Russian figure skating judges were aware of, or involved with any of the doping scheme, the IOC decision does not mention judges or sports officials other than those directly tied to the Russian Olympic Committee.

 

[kittyjake5]

But not one Russian will compete as it means hating Russia

Has their been announcement from the Russian team that they will boycott?

 

[RoseRed]

Thank heaven for that. I was feeling gutted for the athletes, and I'm not even a big fan of any of them.

But if Putin does keep everyone out, that will suck so hard. (And yes, I'm fully aware and disgusted that Russia encouraged systemic doping.)

That's basically my feelings on this. As a figure skating fan, I want the Russians to participate. At the same time, I understand the need for a strong response given what happened and how unfair it was to clean athletes. I hope that Putin allows athletes to go, though I know the politics are complicated.

I hope at least that Evgenia is there. I'd like to see her win gold.

 

[caseyedwards]

Has their been announcement from the Russian team that they will boycott?

Yes. It was from putin who said any neutral order would be humiliation and would damage Olympic movement severely

 

[Bulletsdad]

This is extremely unfair. These athletes were Clean!

I wonder what the court of arbitration can do? Are they neutral or a puppet of the IOC? Can they work fast enough to change some of the decisions before the 2018 Olympics?

Let's not start with Straw Man arguments. The decision did not say that clean athletes from Sochi cannot compete in 2018.

 

[caseyedwards]

That's basically my feelings on this. As a figure skating fan, I want the Russians to participate. At the same time, I understand the need for a strong response given what happened and how unfair it was to clean athletes. I hope that Putin allows athletes to go, though I know the politics are complicated.

I hope at least that Evgenia is there. I'd like to see her win gold.

So Medvedeva wins gold then what country does she move to? Never be popular in Russia again.