Back in January, WADA finally made its ruling on the Russian doping saga, which has been raging since 2015. Among the sanctions, Russia received a four-year ban from international competition. That ban was to include both the Tokyo and Beijing Olympics, but was also subject to appeal, which both sides wanted. The whole point was to have the appeal heard before this summer so that Russia's status for Tokyo would be clear.
Of course, that was all before the entire world came to a screeching halt two months ago. The Tokyo Olympics have been delayed until 2021 and Russia's CAS appeal won't be heard until all this subsides. Although, you'd figure that it'll be at the top of the list once the CAS begins hearing cases again. Either way, the situation should be resolved in plenty of time for the Tokyo Games.
The Olympic delay might even be a bit of a blessing in this case, at least from a jurisprudence perspective. If everything had been normal, the appeal likely would've either just finished or been happening right around now. But a decision might not have come down until after the Games, or at the very least just before, creating a situation where Russian athletes were allowed to compete in Tokyo, only to have the ban upheld and extended to the Paris Games instead.
Either way, you've got Russian teams and athletes already qualified for Tokyo, and it would've been way to late to adjust the fields, especially in the team sports. However, if the final decision comes down in the fall or early next year, they'll have plenty of time to replace Russia in team sports. No ridiculous situation like we had in PyeongChang where the "Olympic Athletes from Russia" won the hockey gold. (Speaking of that, "Olympic Athletes from Russia" won't be used regardless, since the IOC ruled that the approved Russian athletes will compete as neutrals, and neutral athletes can't be associated with a particular country.)
This case is very complex and has so many layers. It took them a long time to determine what type of punishment Russia would receive for its poor doping record, and the appeal will likely be just as lengthy. With something this important, I'd expect nothing less. They let Russia off easy in 2018 and paid for it, so I get why they don't want to make that mistake again. At the same time, WADA wants to make sure the sanctions are appropriate, so letting the CAS make the final decision is the right call.
And I wouldn't be surprised if there's some modification to Russia's punishment. Because a lot has changed since they were first handed out, and this time none of it is their fault.
Specifically, I'm talking about the length of their suspension. The whole point of a four-year ban was so that they'd miss a Summer Olympics, a Winter Olympics, a World Cup, and (in most sports) two World Championships. Then, presumably, Russia would have gotten its act together and been welcomed back to international sport in 2024 or 2025 (depending on when the suspension actually started).
However, virtually all international sport has been wiped out indefinitely and no one knows when it'll start up again. That has nothing to do with Russia's suspension, which obviously means that there are no international competitions in which they can participate. Yes, every other country is in the same boat, but that doesn't change the fact that Russia's not able to compete in anything right now even if they wanted to.
More significantly, though, I think the Olympic delay is what will have them reconsidering the length of Russia's ban. Doping bans are four years for a reason. It guarantees you miss an Olympics. Because of the postponement, though, the gap between the Tokyo and Paris Olympics will only be three years. So, if the four-year ban is upheld, Russia would end up missing both Games as a result.
There are plenty of people, including many athletes, who wouldn't feel bad about that. And maybe it would be appropriate after the joke of a "punishment" in 2018 that saw Russia still send a full team to PyeongChang. But to have them banned for two Olympics instead of one simply because of a global pandemic that upended so many things everywhere just doesn't sit well with me. And I bet I'm not the only one.
Besides, Russia's participation in the Paris Olympics is already going to be limited. Let's, for a second, assume that their suspension lasts until the end of 2023. That'll mean they've missed a good portion of the qualifying period in a number of individual sports. And it'd be nearly impossible for them to qualify in a team sport, since spots in those qualifying tournaments are usually based on your finish at the most recent World Championships (in which they won't participate) or world ranking (which they either won't have or will be very low).
Consider the impact that will have. Russia will still be able to send some individuals to Paris. But it seems highly unlikely they'll have a team anywhere near the size we're used to seeing. The wouldn't be able to send their usual compliment of gymnasts or synchronized swimmers or divers or boxers or wrestlers (which are some of their strongest sports). Their volleyball teams would probably be out, too. So, it's not like Russia will immediately go back to being a juggernaut, especially since every Russian athlete will be under intense scrutiny.
Individual Russians will still be able to compete regardless, as long as they're able to prove they have no doping history. That's not going to change whether the country is suspended for both Tokyo and Paris or not. Either way, they'll be athletes without a country, forced to compete under the Olympic flag wearing a generic uniform with a neutral name. Ask Maria Lasitskene how that feels.
Don't get me wrong. I'm not saying I think Russia should get off easy. When the WADA sanctions were first announced, I considered them appropriate. And I still do. Most of them shouldn't be changed. No Russian flag? Fine. Russia can't host events or bid to host any? That works (they're scheduled to host the 2023 Men's Hockey World Championships, which can easily be moved to Switzerland, which was supposed to host this year). Russian government officials can't attend events or serve on international sporting boards? Makes sense to me!
In fact, I'd only like to see one of Russia's sanctions changed after the appeal. The length of their ban. It shouldn't include both the Tokyo and Paris Olympics. Either count this year or reduce it to three. Either way, have it end in 2023 or early 2024 so that they can work their way towards full reinstatement by Paris. (And the decision will have to be made and suspension started before the rescheduled Tokyo Games, which are now only six months before the 2022 Winter Olympics.)
Russia can't remain a pariah forever. The WADA sanctions were designed to serve as both a punishment and a path towards reinstatement. And the sooner that process begins, the sooner it's over. Which I think we all want.
No comments:
Post a Comment