The Hockey News article on why Russia not playing is better for the WJC

[PensandCaps]

Expected stupidity from the Hockey News.

 

[Gaylord Q Tinkledink]

Also, the hockey news hasnt been relevant in over a decade if not longer.

 

[MXD]

I'd rather have a tournament with no Russia than a tournament with no Finland and Sweden.

 

[Edenjung]

these kids dont deserve to be punished over a war they had no control over.

That may be true. But they are nothing but pawns for the propaganda of putin. So there are two options. Let Putin have his propaganda wins. Or not.
Because they cannot protest against that to compete.

If this is a problem now, why don't we talk about the other times countries got banned? Like: South Africa for 30 Years, Germany 3 times. Indonesia and Malaysia. Rhodesia. The list goes on.
Its well established that if you fight a war you cannot compete. Simple as that. And yes that should go for everybody.
And no by letting them compete without their flag and anthem nothing changes. Think about it, this solution was already in place for the last two olympics because of their doping program. Did it change anything? Nope. Those players were still used in propaganda and the uniforms were painted like the russian flag.
The whole idea is that there should be punishment for doping or for a war. Like they did when banning germany after ww1 (for two games, austria only for 1, and they started that war) or the second world war. Similar situation with South Africa and the former Rhodesia. They got banned from the Olympics because of the African Countries threatening to leave if they were to stay and compete. And that resulted in a ban for 30 years (for south africa).
Would you guys argue for germany to compete in the olympics directly after WW2? I would guess not.

I get why some say that we are punishing the wrong people, but then we should also think about the athletes that never got the chance to compete, because they were killed during the war. They are the real vicitims.

Of course some might argue that sports and politics should not mix. But they always have and always will mix. Be it in ancient times or now. Sports are embedded in politics and the other way around. And the best examples for that are the US, Russia and China. Of course to differing degrees.

 

[AchtzehnBaby]

This one is done