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Post by Mika on Dec 11, 2023 14:31:49 GMT -4
It was recently announced that Russian and Belarusian athletes are allowed back at the Olympics. (My apologies if this is the wrong spot, figured most here care more for the hockey aspect than the rest of the sports). I'm personally not a fan, even as neutral athletes, Russians winning is still good for the Russian people and I would imagine it feels like a slap in the face to Ukrainians and the other countries Russia has threatened or acted tough against like Finland. Here's one of the articles explaining it all: www.npr.org/2023/12/09/1218406353/russian-belarus-athletes-ioc-2024-olympic-games |
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Post by Briwhel on Dec 11, 2023 14:45:03 GMT -4
It was recently announced that Russian and Belarusian athletes are allowed back at the Olympics. (My apologies if this is the wrong spot, figured most here care more for the hockey aspect than the rest of the sports). I'm personally not a fan, even as neutral athletes, Russians winning is still good for the Russian people and I would imagine it feels like a slap in the face to Ukrainians and the other countries Russia has threatened or acted tough against like Finland. Here's one of the articles explaining it all: www.npr.org/2023/12/09/1218406353/russian-belarus-athletes-ioc-2024-olympic-gamesRussia has been competing individually since 2017. The issue is that the athletes in some disciplines participate in events that would qualify them (and that sanctioning the individual would target the individual). In some extreme cases, these "Russian" athletes have little current connection to Russia (because high level athletes in some sports train together regardless of nationality) |
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Post by Mika on Dec 11, 2023 14:50:50 GMT -4
It was recently announced that Russian and Belarusian athletes are allowed back at the Olympics. (My apologies if this is the wrong spot, figured most here care more for the hockey aspect than the rest of the sports). I'm personally not a fan, even as neutral athletes, Russians winning is still good for the Russian people and I would imagine it feels like a slap in the face to Ukrainians and the other countries Russia has threatened or acted tough against like Finland. Here's one of the articles explaining it all: www.npr.org/2023/12/09/1218406353/russian-belarus-athletes-ioc-2024-olympic-gamesRussia has been competing individually since 2017. The issue is that the athletes in some disciplines participate in events that would qualify them (and that sanctioning the individual would target the individual). In some extreme cases, these "Russian" athletes have little current connection to Russia (because high level athletes in some sports train together regardless of nationality) It's an unfortunate part of it, but sports can be huge in terms of propaganda. Whether they like it or not, they're still a tool of Putin's and it helps him hold power. If children can be deemed as collateral damage in Israel's war with Gaza, I'm sure we could consider a ban on Russian athletes as collateral damage too. |
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Post by Futuremoosefan on Dec 16, 2023 12:04:18 GMT -4
Honestly, I didn't even know there was a full ban in 2022. I thought what they were saying now (athletes can compete as individuals, but not for their countries) was all that it was before (going as far back as when Russians were banned for the doping scandals). I didn't notice a lack of Russians/Belarussians at the China Olympics.
That being said; Russia is still invading a sovereign country and murdering civilians, so why are they changing their mind? According to the linked article,
"IOC officials argued a total ban could be considered discrimination. They said athletes shouldn't lose their ability to compete just because of the origin of their passport."
I agree with part of that (in that it's not the athletes' fault), but the propaganda that Russia will be able to use (and will use) because of any achievements by Russian athletes to fuel patriotism/support for the war in Russia seems like it should trump the feelings of a few athletes. Any sanctions placed on a country will have 'collateral damage'. This just happens to be hurting a few people's careers as opposed to financially ruining people and making them unable to afford basic necessities.
Not going to happen, but I'd like to see a bunch of countries pull out of the Olympics because of this. Or even better; France (or presumably the EU) should just not issue visas to Russians (or Belarusians).
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