Russia Receives Ban From 2021 Olympics and 2022 Winter Olympics
Russia has received a ban from the Court of Arbitration for Sport today. The original ban, suggested by WADA, was a four year ban. The Court of Arbitration has reduced that to two years. The ban comes after cheating was found in the Sochi Olympics in 2014. The ban lasts until December 16, 2022.
The ban will allow athletes from Russia to compete at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics and the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. The athletes will not be allowed to wear a Russian flag as long as “Neutral Athlete” is prominent on the uniforms. The word “Russia” is allowed on uniforms however. The Russian national anthem will not be allowed to be played or sung at the Games as well.
The CAS decision is met by much criticism, especially WADA, as the ban is seen as more of a slap on the wrist instead of an actual punishment WADA officials also say that it sets a precedent for other countries to follow suit.
The Russia ban also cuts the country out of the 2022 World Cup as well. Another sanction from the ban is the inability to bid of hosting of the Olympics and World Championships and future events in the timeframe of the ban.
The Russia Ban and Icarus
The ban stems from the oft-cited documentary, Icarus, which shows the extensive methods used by Russia and the KGB to cheat at the Sochi Olympics. The documentary made waves in the sporting world as it became apparent that Russia was not playing fair in 2014.
The documentary exposed Russia and led to the Russian ban suggestions from WADA and implemented by the CAS. All of this is barring a successful appeal by Russia to Switzerland’s Supreme Court.
Stay posted to My MMA News for all the latest news surrounding the Russian ban and the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. Thanks for reading!
