When I went to Japan last year I was able to catch a small glimpse of the 2020 Olympic Stadium being built. And it was a moment of awe for me. And not to mention that little trinkets and souvenirs were already being sold at several locations. My friend was kind enough to buy me a pin. I swear I won’t be like Lisa Simpson and try to collect them all. Still I am so excited knowing that the Summer Olympics are next year and it is said the Perfume will be apart of the opening act!
But news dropped December 9th that athletes from Russia will not be able to compete under their nations flag in the 2020 Olympics / Paralympics as well as the 2022 Winter Olympics (In Beijing), and the 2022 World Cup of Football (Soccer) due to the Doping incident that started in 2018. Russia has been handed a four year ban on every major athletic event by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
However, if any athlete can PROVE that they are NOT under the influence of any drugs they are allowed to compete under the neutral flag (the Olympic Flag) but if they do win any medals their nations national anthem will not be played and their flag will not be hung.
Dmitry Medvevdev (The Russian Prime Minister) is outraged by these allegations and has said that the only reason they are being punished was because of “Chronic anti-Russian hysteria”. Back in January of this year Russia’s Anti-Doping Agency was declared non-compliant and for manipulating the results of their athletes when the laboratory data was turned into WADA.
Sir Craig Reedie has said “For too long, Russian doping has detracted from clean sport. The blatant breach by the Russian authorities of Rusada’s reinstatement conditions demanded a robust response. That is exactly what has been delivered. Russia was afforded every opportunity to get its house in order and rejoin the global anti-doping community for the good of its athletes and of the integrity of sport, but it chose instead to continue in its stance of deception” Wada’s Vice President had procured that this ban is not enough, “I wanted sanctions that can not be watered down,” she said. “We owe it to the clean athletes to implement the sanctions as strongly as possible.”
WADA has also stated that Russia has 21 days to appeal the decision.
