IOC's banning of Russia from 2018 Olympics

[Eclair]

It can happen if Russia says Medvedeva zagitova and sotskova are team but ioc panel says zagitova doesn’t have enough tests to prove she’s clean. So zagitova has to be removed. Russia then says pogorilaya but it’s after a deadline and she can’t be cleared. But that still wouldn’t mean another country gets the spot. People are far too sure the panel will allow all Russian skaters. You don’t know if they might want 5 years of tests. So maybe only leonova will be eligible?

I'm pretty sure the top 3 at nationals are those who will go and pass all required tests. In case you didn't notice, the IOC is doing everything to make the ban as 'least uncomfortable' as possible for the clean athletes - they chose to name them 'olympic athletes from russia' instead of just 'neutral athletes', they announced the decision in the evening in russia, so that Putin could wait until the next day and until things were a little calmed down, to state that athletes are allowed to go. They are giving these neutral athletes a uniform to wear and the designs are already in work - and if the Russian deputy FM says the color of that uniform will be red, white and blue, then it's a strong indication that he has seen them.

all in all it's pretty obvious, that Bach had a talk with Putin and while the ban was inevitable, they did talk about how to make things easier and what can be acceptable for them both ...

 

[Sam L]

Thank God. Thank you Mr Putin. Now please go to Olympics Zhenya Alina

 

[yoloaxel]

The public opinion in Russia stands for boycott with a significant majority. 2/3 against 1/3 in every news outlet that cared to roll a poll out. Putin chose to go against the will of the people on this one, and this will cost him.

Or perhaps it will sway the public's opinion

 

[madison]

I wonder how the administrative details will work out for Russian figure skaters... Will the Russian Fed support them or they'll have to pay themselves? Will the preparation camp in Japan before the Olympics still take place?

 

[anyanka]

I'm pretty sure the top 3 at nationals are those who will go and pass all required tests. In case you didn't notice, the IOC is doing everything to make the ban as 'least uncomfortable' as possible for the clean athletes - they chose to name them 'olympic athletes from russia' instead of just 'neutral athletes', they announced the decision in the evening in russia, so that Putin could wait until the next day and until things were a little calmed down, to state that athletes are allowed to go. They are giving these neutral athletes a uniform to wear and the designs are already in work - and if the Russian deputy FM says the color of that uniform will be red, white and blue, then it's a strong indication that he has seen them.

all in all it's pretty obvious, that Bach had a talk with Putin and while the ban was inevitable, they did talk about how to make things easier and what can be acceptable for them both ...

I noticed the timing of this as well. Bach and Putin are good friends and there's no way they would have foisted this on Putin unilaterally. That would give the Kremlin the evening and early morning to work on messaging.

 

[anyanka]

I wonder how the administrative details will work out for Russian figure skaters... Will the Russian Fed support them or they'll have to pay themselves? Will the preparation camp in Japan before the Olympics still take place?

^ This is exactly why I questioned whether or not the full contingent would be sent. Not every skater qualifying would have the backing of major corporate sponsors to make up the shortfall if the state isn't footing large portions of the bill.

At this point, leaving the skaters alone to concentrate on GPF / nationals / Euros is a good idea, they've got enough to worry about without also having to ponder taking out a loan to finance a trip to the games if they relied heavily on state funds that may no longer be put into the competition.

 

[yelyoh]

So reason won out in the end. Good for Putin for this. I hope those members of Golden Skate who stated they would not watch the Olympics will now watch.

 

[bobbob]

So I guess the ban won't impact figure skating at the Olympics much at all...even the Team competition is still on.

I wonder if Bobrova/Soloviev will be allowed to compete...technically they have been caught "doping" in the past though it was overturned and obviously they didn't intentionally do it but...

 

[vorravorra]

The public opinion in Russia stands for boycott with a significant majority. 2/3 against 1/3 in every news outlet that cared to roll a poll out. Putin chose to go against the will of the people on this one, and this will cost him.

I doubt the issue is important enough to "cost" Putin much. The general sentiment is more along the lines "who gives a damn about these Olympics anyway". People are simply tired of the topic, it's been too long and drawn out. These Olympics now are essentially for the athletes and a narrow circle of dedicated fans.

 

[vorravorra]

^ This is exactly why I questioned whether or not the full contingent would be sent. Not every skater qualifying would have the backing of major corporate sponsors to make up the shortfall if the state isn't footing large portions of the bill.

At this point, leaving the skaters alone to concentrate on GPF / nationals / Euros is a good idea, they've got enough to worry about without also having to ponder taking out a loan to finance a trip to the games if they relied heavily on state funds that may no longer be put into the competition.

If the decision is for them to go, expenses will be paid. The bonuses and other extravagances I am not so sure about.

 

[beachmouse]

It can happen if Russia says Medvedeva zagitova and sotskova are team but ioc panel says zagitova doesn’t have enough tests to prove she’s clean. So zagitova has to be removed. Russia then says pogorilaya but it’s after a deadline and she can’t be cleared. But that still wouldn’t mean another country gets the spot. People are far too sure the panel will allow all Russian skaters. You don’t know if they might want 5 years of tests. So maybe only leonova will be eligible?

I do think it will be easier to clear the teenagers to compete than it would be to clear an older athlete who was Russia-based during the 'dark cloud' era of Russian sport. Zagitova was only age 11 during Sochi; the youngest drug positive I've heard come out of Russia was a 13 year old swimmer and she's an outlier by several years. So she (and any other recent juniors) are less likely to get the heaviest scrutiny compared to a mid-career professional in the sport with several years of negative tests from a lab now discredited.

 

[anyanka]

I doubt the issue is important enough to "cost" Putin much. The general sentiment is more along the lines "who gives a damn about these Olympics anyway". People are simply tired of the topic, it's been too long and drawn out. These Olympics now are essentially for the athletes and a narrow circle of dedicated fans.

We skating fans are the real winners!

 

[moriel]

It can happen if Russia says Medvedeva zagitova and sotskova are team but ioc panel says zagitova doesn’t have enough tests to prove she’s clean. So zagitova has to be removed. Russia then says pogorilaya but it’s after a deadline and she can’t be cleared. But that still wouldn’t mean another country gets the spot. People are far too sure the panel will allow all Russian skaters. You don’t know if they might want 5 years of tests. So maybe only leonova will be eligible?

Yep exactly my worry.
I actually suspect Russia will start submitting people before nationals. For example, i see how rusfed can pick up some people to apply right now (Medvedeva, Zagitova, T/M, S/K, B/S, Kolyada). It would be a smart move since those folks at this point are almost a lock for the team due to their performance during the season, and that gives more time to do all the bureocracy

 

[moriel]

If the decision is for them to go, expenses will be paid. The bonuses and other extravagances I am not so sure about.

Actually if they win, 100% sure they will get bonuses. A medal is a medal.

 

[coldblueeyes]

So I guess the ban won't impact figure skating at the Olympics much at all...even the Team competition is still on.

I wonder if Bobrova/Soloviev will be allowed to compete...technically they have been caught "doping" in the past though it was overturned and obviously they didn't intentionally do it but...

There's no reason for them not to. For all purposes, there are no implications in Bobrova's participation at the moment. She was only suspended at the time, and the suspension was lifted by the ISU after WADA gave amnesty to a bunch of athletes because of lack of study.

 

[CanadianSkaterGuy]

Yep exactly my worry.
I actually suspect Russia will start submitting people before nationals. For example, i see how rusfed can pick up some people to apply right now (Medvedeva, Zagitova, T/M, S/K, B/S, Kolyada). It would be a smart move since those folks at this point are almost a lock for the team due to their performance during the season, and that gives more time to do all the bureocracy

While this might make sense logistically, I doubt they would jump the gun like this as it would exhibit blatant bias towards certain skaters, if some are getting submitted before others. It's best to wait to see what happens at Nationals (or even Euros, at that).

 

[christiana2]

A medal is a medal.

But it's not a Russian medal. Why should they get bonuses?

 

[vorravorra]

Actually if they win, 100% sure they will get bonuses. A medal is a medal.

I mean the cars and apartments and such that Russia usually gives to Olympic medal winners. It's not under any obligation to do so as far as I am aware. But nobody knows what will happen with this at the moment, it'll probably be decided down the line.

 

[anyanka]

Actually if they win, 100% sure they will get bonuses. A medal is a medal.

Absolutely. What the Feds do with the medalists and bonuses is beyond IOC's jurisdiction. Also let's not forget the titles such as Honoured Master of Sports and awards of merit the state confers.

Now, will they all get Mercedes like the athletes did in 2014??

 

[LRK]

So reason won out in the end. Good for Putin for this. I hope those members of Golden Skate who stated they would not watch the Olympics will now watch.

As one of those, if the skaters go, of course I will watch.

Note: Not that I ever thought it would be a great deal to anybody other than myself whether I watched or no.