No flag, no anthem: IOC allows Russian athletes to participate only as neutrals in 2018 Olympics

[DoD1776]

No flag, no anthem: IOC allows Russian athletes to participate only as neutrals in 2018 Olympics No flag, no anthem: IOC allows Russian athletes to participate only as neutrals in 2018 Olympics
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has ruled that Russian athletes can only compete under a neutral flag in South Korea in February. The decision comes following a panel hearing on the results of investigations involving Russia being accused of doping violations.

Competing as neutrals without a national team means that athletes will not take part in the opening ceremony, and their country’s anthem will not be played if they win any medals. Russian President Vladimir Putin described the option as a “humiliating” compromise.

 

[Phazer]

Seriously, collective punishment for the entire Russian delegation? Was every athlete involved? Did all of the trainers know of doping? I don't think I agree with this.



Oh...in reality...I don't really care. There isn't a single darn "winter sport" that I'd watch if it weren't taking place in the Olympics. I cannot tell you the last time I was upset that I'd missed a curling match. Ummm...I don't know the last time I watched curling.

 

[Prudii]

Seriously, collective punishment for the entire Russian delegation? Was every athlete involved? Did all of the trainers know of doping? I don't think I agree with this.



Oh...in reality...I don't really care. There isn't a single darn "winter sport" that I'd watch if it weren't taking place in the Olympics. I cannot tell you the last time I was upset that I'd missed a curling match. Ummm...I don't know the last time I watched curling.

Uhh from personal experience biathlon is seriously fun.
And they do get to walk in the opening ceremony they just have to wear neutral uniforms and will be walking with all the other athletes that do not have a national sponsor.

 

[Deplorable Me]

Maybe Ivan can take a knee if they win gold in protest.

 

[FrankenCub]

Uhh from personal experience biathlon is seriously fun.
And they do get to walk in the opening ceremony they just have to wear neutral uniforms and will be walking with all the other athletes that do not have a national sponsor.

I don't much care for watching the Olympics, but the biathlon does look fun. I have done the luge and bobsled at Lake Placid, WOW...that shit was crazy fun!
I think it's kinda messed up that they are going to punish the whole Russian team for what a few did though.

 

[DoD1776]

I don't much care for watching the Olympics, but the biathlon does look fun. I have done the luge and bobsled at Lake Placid, WOW...that shit was crazy fun!
I think it's kinda messed up that they are going to punish the whole Russian team for what a few did though.

Didnt Michael Phelps do something the other year? Why don’t they just punish us! They’re only punishing them because it’s Russia.

 

[Prudii]

I don't much care for watching the Olympics, but the biathlon does look fun. I have done the luge and bobsled at Lake Placid, WOW...that shit was crazy fun!
I think it's kinda messed up that they are going to punish the whole Russian team for what a few did though.

Didnt Michael Phelps do something the other year? Why don’t they just punish us! They’re only punishing them because it’s Russia.

The athletes are not being punished, the nation and its government are being punished. Here in the US the Olympics might not mean much but in Russia the Olympics are a huge deal the winter ones especially. They have been a way for the nation to prove its dominance over the "west" for going on 70 years now. Rejecting the 'nation' of Russian but not its athletes is a massive insult to the Russians.

And what Phelps did was his own decision, what the Russians did was a massive coverup of doping organized by the government. Imagine the fallout if the FBI had been caught working with the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency to cover for PED use, all on the orders of the president.

 

[Prudii]

Also @Dayten check this out http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2014/02/10/olympic-biathlon-rifle-anschutz-1827f-fortner/