Despite running a state-wide doping program between 2011 and 2015 (that we know of) the IOC won’t impose a blanket ban on team Russia entering the Rio Olympics which begin on August 5th.
Instead, the IOC will leave it up to the individual sports’ governing bodies while also enacting ‘strict’ criteria laid down by the committee.
IOC rules out blanket ban on Russia – but sets very high bar for any Russian athlete to compete in #Rio #Olympics. pic.twitter.com/2lxHZH07fX
— Jon Williams (@WilliamsJon) July 24, 2016
Additionally any Russian athlete who has served a doping ban will not be eligible for Rio 2016.
There doesn’t seem to be anything better than an incredibly corrupt organization like the IOC imposing ‘punishment’ on an incredibly corrupt government and sports body like Russia. I’m assuming Vladimir Putin is one of the world leaders that has IOC officials in his back pocket so of course the IOC pulled their punches when it came to a government actively screwing with doping samples.
Additionally, the IOC has now set a standard that you actually have to do more than what Russia did to get yourself banned from Olympic competition.
