[James]

Russian doping: IOC bans Russia from 2018 Winter Olympics


Russia has been banned from competing at next year's Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang by the International Olympic Committee.

But Russian athletes who can prove they are clean would be allowed to compete in South Korea under a neutral flag.

It follows an investigation into allegations of state-sponsored doping at the 2014 Games hosted by Russia in Sochi.

"This should draw a line under this damaging episode," the IOC said.

The decision has been widely condemned in Russia, with some politicians urging a boycott of the Games, though other officials have welcomed the chance for 'clean' athletes to take part.

IOC president Thomas Bach and his board - who made the announcement in Lausanne on Tuesday - came to the decision after reading through the findings and recommendations of a 17-month investigation headed up by the former president of Switzerland, Samuel Schmid.

The Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) has been suspended but the IOC said it will invite Russian clean athletes to compete in February under the name 'Olympic Athlete from Russia' (OAR).

Despite repeated Russian denials, the Schmid report has found evidence of "the systemic manipulation of the anti-doping rules and system" which back up previous allegations of government involvement in cheating in the run-up to and during the Winter Olympics almost four years ago.

Bach said: "This was an unprecedented attack on the integrity of the Olympic Games and sport. This should draw a line under this damaging episode and serve as a catalyst for a more effective anti-doping system."

The Games in South Korea, which start on 9 February, will now be without one of the powerhouses of Olympic sport.

Full article - http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/winter-sports/42242007

[King Gizzard]

they were also saying on twitter that their World Cup group is pretty much the easiest group they could have got...

Ban em from that too imo

[Eddie.]

good. it gives a chance for other countries...

[hijaxers]

Good no one wants to compete with a CHEAT !

[Smithy]

Heard they’re still planning to take part in the 2020 US election though

[Niamh.]

Originally Posted by Smithy

Heard they’re still planning to take part in the 2020 US election though

[Livia]

Originally Posted by Smithy

Heard they’re still planning to take part in the 2020 US election though

LMAO... oh Smiffy, you kill me.

[Nicky91]

then Sablikova should also be banned from olympics, cause i strongly suspect her of doping as well, how can someone so skinny be so strong on the ice it confuses me


Russia are Always seen as the bad guys, so unfair there are more countries than just Russia who use doping it disgusts how deep that hate goes with the IOC towards Russia

[Crimson Dynamo]

Originally Posted by Nicky91

then Sablikova should also be banned from olympics, cause i strongly suspect her of doping as well, how can someone so skinny be so strong on the ice it confuses me


Russia are Always seen as the bad guys, so unfair there are more countries than just Russia who use doping it disgusts how deep that hate goes with the IOC towards Russia

I see you still stan Russia Nicky

cute

[Nicky91]

Originally Posted by LeatherTrumpet

I see you still stan Russia Nicky

cute

yes one of my closest escforum friends is russian who lives in Germany, she also finds it disgusting how her country is being treated like trash

[Vicky.]

Is weightlifting an Olympic category, and do New Zealand compete? I don't watch the Olympics, but I strongly suspect that some people may get a surprise watching this time. I cannot wait for the reactions tbh, if what I suspect is going to happen, happens

As a sneak preview

Spoiler:

And I am sure they will not be the only country to cheat either..given the rules that were created to allow intersex athletes to compete are being...abused.

[Vicky.]

But Russia are banned, even if their athletes are clean? Seems a bit wrong, though obviously I have not been following this story.

[Nicky91]

Originally Posted by Vicky.

But Russia are banned, even if their athletes are clean? Seems a bit wrong, though obviously I have not been following this story.

yes, figure skating i strongly think those russian athletes are clean, so why not just let them compete under a different flag, the IOC flag for example

[Crimson Dynamo]

Originally Posted by Nicky91

yes one of my closest escforum friends is russian who lives in Germany, she also finds it disgusting how her country is being treated like trash

she certainly sounds mad and as you say a close friend. She would be really cross when some tibb members drag russia for having backward views on things?

[Nicky91]

Originally Posted by LeatherTrumpet

she certainly sounds mad and as you say a close friend. She would be really cross when some tibb members drag russia for having backward views on things?

i would feel pissed either, not every russian is the same as some in the politics there, and other countries use doping as well