Olympics: Russia possibly disqualified from Pyeongchang (UPD: IOC Suspends Team Russia)

[Cassano]

This is hilarious.

 

[Dr Pepper]

Huh?

This is what the IOC should have done. It's the correct move.

Russian athletes were involved in a state-led program of doping. Everyone knew about it and willingly engaged, from the government down. This is a fitting punishment.

I just don't agree with a blanket ban, that's all. They're not all doping.

 

[Murky]

Notice the wording for this: "Russian athletes who can prove they are clean."

In other words the onus will be on the athletes to prove they are clean as opposed to governing bodies to prove that they are not. In other words the Russian athletes are screwed.

It makes complete sense, because the proof - testing done during the training seasons etc. has been proven to be compromised. So, unlike other athletes, there is no reliable proof unless they provide some.

This one is all on the russians. Unfortunately quite a few innocent athletes will suffer as well. As quite a few other innocent athletes have suffered trying to compete against a completely rigged system.

First they should just clean house. I am really surprised Putin hasn't done that, yet. And then just start over with a completely transparent system.

 

[Pi]

The KHL will now likely ban their players from going.

Hockey is going to be a **** show. Canada was mostly using KHLers for their roster, now what?

Sweden, Finland, and Switzerland now the likely top 3.

Yep, the only disgrace is FIFA knowing about this and still letting them host the 2018 World Cup.

If anything, shame on the IOC for not acting on this sooner.

 

[GeorgesLaRAWK]

Rio and now South Korea.

Impressive streak, Russia.

 

[Atas2000]

I really hope this happens, not only because of fair-play but also because of the huge blow to Russian state propoganda.

Banned......WOW. Will Putin go off?

IOC added some votes for Putin just like that. Good Job!

 

[BalticWarrior]

Hopefully this punishment atleast somehow puts Russian goverments systematic doping scheme in some check. Although i doubt it.

 

[BayStreetBully]

Good. Russia didn’t deserve to play in the 2018 Olympics after cheating their way through 2014.

 

[TheBeastCoast]

Yep, the only disgrace is FIFA knowing about this and still letting them host the 2018 World Cup.

If anything, shame on the IOC for not acting on this sooner.

Yeah the only thing about this is it really makes them look bad for letting them in the 2016 olympics.

 

[Syckle78]

IOC Putin the boots to Russia.

 

[More 2004]

Glad OV changed his mind on going no matter what before the season started.. he would be looking bad for nothing right now.

 

[bottomofthefoodchain]

Switzerland just became a gold medal contender.

Yeah they have a lot of good players outside the NHL. Like that guy....whatever his name is.

 

[Tom ServoMST3K]

My light reading on this, is that the punishment is heavy, not because of the Doping, which is really bad, but because Russia tampered with samples at an IOC facility.

 

[Dahlin 2 Eichel]

I just don't agree with a blanket ban, that's all. They're not all doping.

They might not all be doping but it's well know that a very high percentage of them are. Just an embarrassment to that country.

 

[BalticWarrior]

Yeah they have a lot of good players outside the NHL. Like that guy....whatever his name is.

Brunner?

 

[bottomofthefoodchain]

Brunner?

Has played zero games this season

 

[Sticksandsun]

Nope hockey team cant participate under russian flag.

I meant the Russian players competing under whatever flag they're calling it. If they choose to go they're still the favorite.

 

[Urbanskog]

Yeah they have a lot of good players outside the NHL. Like that guy....whatever his name is.

Yeah, they do, your sarcasm is misplaced. They don't have a single player in the KHL so this obviously greatly increases their chances.

 

[Syckle78]

The Russian individuals should compete under a pirate flag. That would be fun.

 

[kp61c]

This is big. Not really sure where to put this but this will effect hockey. Russia won't let foreign KHLers to compete in the Olympics and all clean Russian athletes can compete in the Olympics under a neutral Olympic flag and are given the name "Olympic Athlete from Russia"

neutral flag is inacceptable but will happen and the khl will allow khlers to compete in the olympics. basically putin will cave in to all demands. pathetic.

 

[bottomofthefoodchain]

Yeah, they do, your sarcasm is misplaced. They don't have a single player in the KHL so this obviously greatly increases their chances.

Their chances are increased yes. Would be a HUGE upset if they won though.

 

[ColbyChaos]

Well with no NHL and now what is gauranteed to be no KHL players this olympics will be a complete dud

 

[Tomas W]

Wont they just play under the Olympic flag? Everbody knows its Russia anyway.

 

[Syckle78]

neutral flag is inacceptable but will happen and the khl will allow khlers to compete in the olympics. basically putin will cave in to all demands. pathetic.

Yea that's pretty much the opposite of reality.

 

[BayStreetBully]

neutral flag is inacceptable but will happen and the khl will allow khlers to compete in the olympics. basically putin will cave in to all demands. pathetic.

Russian cheating is unacceptable. I would have gone one step further and banned all Russian athletes from competing at all. That’s the best deterrent to stop Russia from treating fair play as a joke.